UK to ban junk food adds on TV & online

LONDON: Britain imposes a ban on the advertisement of junk foods on daytime television and the Internet in an effort to combat childhood obesity.

The restriction is on advertisements for products that are high in fat, salt, and sugar. It will be effective on TV commercials aired before the watershed at 9 pm and on paid online advertisements at all times. The government believes it can result in a cut of up to 7.2 billion calories a year for children.

The health ministry has estimated that the policy will lower the number of children with obesity by 20,000 and save the health service around £2 billion ($2.7 billion) in the long term.

This step follows the government’s announcement in December 2024 about the policy and forms part of many other initiatives that have been undertaken. These initiatives include the sugar tax rate applied to pre-packaged goods such as milkshakes, ready-to-drink coffee, and sweetened yogurt drinks.

The local authorities have also been empowered to ensure that fast food centers are not located near schools.

According to the government, research has shown that food advertising has a strong influence on food choices and times in the feeding of children, contributing to the possible development of obesity.