Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Online Junk Food Advertising

Tuesday 13 April 2021 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Minister intends to ensure equal regulation between online and mainstream broadcasters for advertising high fat, salt, and sugar products before 9 pm.
  • Minister agrees that restricting junk food marketing online would reduce calorie intake and promote healthier food production and marketing.
  • Minister emphasizes the necessity of such measures due to ongoing issues with childhood obesity and overweight, stressing no pre-emptive decision before the consultation response.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Craig Whittaker Con
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

The question stems from concerns about ensuring fair treatment between online and traditional broadcasters regarding the ban on advertisements for unhealthy foods before 9 pm.

Question

What steps does he plan to take to ensure a level playing field between online and mainstream broadcasters in implementing the proposed advertisement ban on foods high in fat, sugar, and salt before 9 pm?

Answer from Jo Churchill

We have made clear our intention to end the advertising of high fat, salt and sugar products on television before 9 pm. We recently held a short consultation on how to introduce advertising restrictions for online and we will publish our response soon. A level playing field is important.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific measures were not detailed.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q2 Andrew Selous Con
Children & Families
Context

This question addresses the proposed ban on advertising unhealthy foods online, highlighting its potential to reduce calorie intake among children while also benefiting advertisers and companies.

Question

Does the Minister agree that ending junk food marketing online is hardly an outrageous assault on our freedoms, would remove 12.5 billion calories a year from children's diets, and would allow advertisers and food companies to make plenty of money from producing and marketing healthy food?

Answer from Jo Churchill

Indeed I do. We are not banning food. It is very important to ensure people can make healthy choices by default, with full knowledge of what they purchase, leading to a balanced diet. This presents a great opportunity for companies.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific details about the ban's impact were avoided.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q3 Craig Whittaker Con
Economy Taxation
Context

The question concerns the reported change in government plans regarding an online advertising ban for unhealthy foods, considering the prevalence of smartphones among children.

Question

Sending condolences to Dr Allin-Khan. Given reports that the Government is dropping plans to ban ads online for high fat, sugar and salt products, with 50% of 10-year-olds owning smartphones and using video on demand services, wouldn't it be absurd to ban such advertising on mainstream TV where children watch little?

Answer from Jo Churchill

Agreeing that maintaining fairness is crucial, but if we were doing well in tackling childhood obesity and overweight issues, such measures wouldn't be necessary. The Minister will not pre-empt the consultation response due soon.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Details on changing plans or maintaining a TV ban were avoided.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email