New measures to combat online junk food marketing to children a ‘monumental step’
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The Irish Coronary heart Foundation said new measures aimed at confronting on the web junk foodstuff promoting to young children are a “monumental step” in the struggle towards childhood obesity.
The charity described amendments created to the On the net Safety and Media Regulation Invoice on Monday as a significant earn for preserving children and restricting their exposure to harmful meals. The amendment was passed in the Seanad on Monday night and will grow to be law later on this autumn.
It means an on the web basic safety code will have the energy to prohibit or restrict on line content material relating to foods or beverages which are regarded as to be of community wellness problem in relation to young children.
Kathryn Reilly, coverage and legislative affairs supervisor with the Irish Heart Basis, welcomed the amendments place forward by Media Minister Catherine Martin.
Ms Reilly claimed it is an critical milestone just after the charity’s campaign from “insidious and pervasive” on line advertising and marketing of lower-nutrition food items large in sugar, salt and trans-fatty acids.
“The evidence is unequivocal that junk foodstuff promoting affects children’s consumption preferences, purchase requests and, in the end, their well being,” she stated.
Ms Reilly beforehand warned legislators that 85,000 little ones throughout the nation will die prematurely for the reason that of childhood obesity.
“The Irish Heart Foundation has been to the forefront of advocacy to assure that the advertising of dangerous products had been place on the plan agenda and involved in the Invoice,” she said.
“The passing of this modification is a monumental step in the fight against childhood obesity and will secure children’s overall health.
“It phone calls out the harms that junk foods advertising can have on the general public health interests of young children.”
She additional: “We welcome the amendments place ahead by Minister Martin on this following a productive advocacy campaign and engagement with department officials”.
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