HPB seeks public feedback on food advertising guidelines for children

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http://www.yourhealth.com.sg/content/hpb-seeks-public-feedback-food-advertising-guidelines-children

With increasing evidence on the influence advertising has on children's food choices, the Health Promotion Board (HPB) has embarked on a public consultation exercise on the proposed strengthening of food advertising guidelines for children.

Currently, advertisers are not allowed to actively encourage children to replace main meals with confectionery or snacks under the Code of Advertising Practice set by the Advertising Standards Authority of Singapore.

Evidence shows that advertising influences children's food preferences, purchase requests and consumption patterns.

Hence, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has been encouraging the restriction of advertising of foods and beverages high in fat, sugar or salt to children.

Countries like Norway and Sweden, and the state of Quebec in Canada, have already banned advertisements aimed at children aged 12 years and younger, while the UK and South Korea have introduced statutory regulations restricting food advertising.

Members of the public are invited to give their feedback at http://www.hpb.gov.sg/foodadvertising. The online public consultation exercise will be open until December 28, 2012.