JUNK FOOD ADVERTISING TO CHILDREN

Early day motion 280, tabled 19 June 2013 by Keith Vaz (Labour). Signed by 28 members.

That this House is concerned by the recent report, Marketing of food high in fat, salt and sugar to children, published by the World Health Organisation on 18 June 2013, which accuses food companies of seeking to bypass existing rules on the advertising of unhealthy products to children; notes that despite a range of measures, including statutory, self-regulatory and voluntary measures relating to television, other broadcast media, non-broadcast media and online marketing, children in the UK appear to be exposed to just as much food advertising as before full regulation; recognises that an estimated one-third of children are either overweight or obese and more must be done to address this issue; and calls on the Government to strengthen existing regulations and consider legislation to prevent the advertisement of unhealthy products to children on websites and mobile messaging which is not currently covered by existing regulation.

Signatures by party: Labour 14, DUP 3, Social Democratic and Labour Party 3, Independent 2, Alliance 1, Conservative 1, Green 1, Liberal Democrat 1, Respect 1, Scottish National Party 1.