AEF Latest News: March 2008
Canada: Conference to examine childhood obesity and the impact of marketing
3 March
On 4 March, the Policy Consensus Forum on Obesity and the Impact of Marketing on Children will be held in Ottawa. The two day conference is organised by the Chronic Disease Prevention Alliance of Canada (CDPAC) with the intention of offering an opportunity for Canadian and international experts to present their views on food marketing to children and its alleged impact on obesity. A "Consensus Policy statement" will be drafted during the conference and then publicly released.
Global: 2008 World Consumer Rights Day to be held in Fiji
3 March
On 15 March, the Consumers International World Consumer Rights Day (WCRD) will be hosted by the Consumer Council of Fiji. The theme will be "Junk Food Generation: The Consumers International (CI) campaign against the marketing of unhealthy food children."
Europe: WHO Europe releases official version of Second Action Plan for Food and Nutrition Policy 2007-2012
6 March
On 5 March, the WHO Regional Headquarter for Europe released an official version of the Second Action Plan for Food and Nutrition Policy 2007-2012 which was adopted at the last WHO Europe Regional Committee Meeting on 17-20 September in Belgrade, Serbia. One of the suggested actions is to "contribute to the development of an international code of practice on marketing and advertising, especially to children."
Global: Consumer groups propose international marketing code
17 March
On 15 March, a global coalition of over 50 consumer groups expressed their support for the adoption of an "International Code on Marketing of Foods and Non-Alcoholic Beverages to Children". The code, which was developed by consumer group coalition Consumers International (CI) in collaboration with the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF), calls for a global 9 PM watershed ban on HFSS TV food advertising. In addition, the code asks for a ban on internet and new media advertising, the use of celebrities or cartoon characters in food marketing to children and a ban on competitions and premiums.
Nigeria: Lagos State Commissioner for Health expresses concern about children's HFSS food consumption
25 March
On 23 March, the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Dr Jide Idris spoke at a forum organised by the state's Ministry of Justice to commemorate this year's World Consumer Rights Day under the theme 'Junk Food Generation'. The Commissioner expressed his concern over the rising consumption of HFSS foods among children.
Canada: Advisor recommends a ban on HFSS TV food advertising to children
26 March
On 25 March, Dr. Khristinn Kellie Leitch, Advisor on Healthy Children and Youth, presented her final report, entitled 'Reaching for the Top: A Report by the Advisor on Healthy Children and Youth' to the Minister of Health Tony Clement for his consideration. The report "provides advice related to existing federal government programs, the need for new policy directions and programs and the concept of establishing an office for the health and wellness of children and youth." It makes 95 policy recommendations and addresses the issue of childhood obesity and food marketing to children.
New Zealand: Public Health Bill is discussed
26 March
On 12 March, the Health Select Committee of New Zealand's Parliament began hearing oral submissions to the Public Health Bill. In its current form, the bill, which was first read in Parliament on 12 December 2007 and then referred to the select committee, deals with a wide range of public health issues including obesity. The organisation 'Fight the Obesity Epidemic (FOE)' has identified two sub-clauses within the bill which it states "could be used to regulate the advertising of junk food to children on TV and elsewhere, regulate the sitting of fast-food outlets near schools […] and regulate the content or processing of commercially-supplied food, such as the fat used for cooking fish and chips." FOE has started a large scale national lobbying campaign to retain this text in the bill.
UK: Results of review on children and new technology published
27 March
On 27 March, the UK Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) released the results of their joint review "The Byron Review: children and new technology" which aimed at analysing "the evidence on risks to children's safety and wellbeing of exposure to potentially harmful or inappropriate material on the internet and in video games". The review, which was lead by clinical psychologist Dr Tanya Byron, critically examines the benefits and risks that are involved in children's use of the internet and video gaming. It is part of the Government's 10 year Children's Plan which sets out Government's plans for children's services over the next 10 years. The review evaluates current safety mechanisms designed to protect children from harmful digital content and makes a number of recommendations, among others on online advertising. It also proposes the creation of a new institution to coordinate action on child internet safety.