Update on UK moves to protect children from junk food ads 

Government U-turn

Health campaigners have called the stalling of measures in the UK to tackle childhood obesity as a government U-turn.

The restrictions banning paid-for advertisements for unhealthy food online and unhealthy food advertisements on TV before 9pm were recently passed under the Health and Care Act 2022.  However the government is delaying the implementation of the restrictions on TV and online advertising of unhealthy food and drink until 2025.

Delay in restrictions on multibuys

Restrictions on the placement of unhealthy products at checkouts and end of aisles will still come into effect in October 2022.  However, further planned restrictions on the promotion of unhealthy food and drinks in the retail environment such as multibuys and free refills will be delayed for a year.

These policies are well established as ways to address rising obesity rates.  While it’s unfortunate the UK is taking a step backward, in Australia we need to take the first steps and join the UK in embedding these policies to address obesity rates into legislation.