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ITN
Ban on some junk food ads
Ban on some junk food ads
The television watchdog has proposed a ban on junk food advertising during television programmes aimed at children under 16.The move by Ofcom falls short of measures urged by the Food Standards Agency and health campaigners. They wanted a total ban on junk food ads before 9pm.Dr Vivienne Nathanson, Head of Science and Ethics at the British Medical Association said: "Ofcom's ban on junk food advertising during programmes targeted at under-16s does not go far enough."Some of the most popular programmes amongst the under-16s are soaps which will not be covered by this ban."But food manufacturers and advertisers have welcomed Ofcom's proposal which the watchdog said will cost broadcasters up to £39 million per year.And Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell welcomed Ofcom's move to "strike a balance" between children's health and the needs of broadcasters.The proposed changes are expected to be enforced from the end of January 2007, but advertising campaigns already under way would be allowed to broadcast until the end of June next year.© Independent Television News Limited 2006. All rights reserved.
ITN | November 17, 2006
