Health
Every advertisement promoting junk food plants in children a subconscious trigger that makes unhealthy eating normal, aspirational and desirable.
Health
The branding, the celebrity endorsements, and the toys bundled with meals all work to shape children’s perception of processed food, giving it a positive image.
Health
On 5 January, the UK moved to restrict this influence. It imposed sweeping regulations banning television, radio and online advertisements for foods high in fat, salt or sugar before 9 pm.
Health
The restrictions are part of an ambitious government plan to halve childhood obesity by 2030.
Health
Indian children have no such state-sponsored protective cover. Despite having a policy framework in place that called for prohibiting HFSS advertising since 2017, India has failed to implement it.
Health
Meanwhile, the recently finalised India-UK trade agreement allows greater import of these very products into Indian markets.