Some of the UK’s biggest food brands have backed a letter written by the Food and Drink Federation (FDF) and sent to Prime Minister Boris Johnson to hit out at the Government’s proposals to ban certain so called ‘junk food’ adverts.
The letter, which has been endorsed by the likes of PepsiCo UK and Ireland, Kellogg’s and Britvic, criticises the proposals which would see restrictions imposed for online and TV adverts that appeared before 9pm.
The Government says the proposals aim to promote healthier food choices for children and families.
The proposals are still under consultation and would introduce a ban on firms promoting foods high in salt, fat and sugar including the use of Facebook ads, paid search results on Google, plus text promotions and posts on platforms such as Twitter and Instagram.
“The sheer volume of critical work facing food companies in the next few weeks means that at this time we simply cannot give this consultation the resource it deserves and demands.”
The FDF letter, which has been supported by more than 800 food and drink organisations, reads: “The food and drink sector wholeheartedly supports the Government’s public health policy objectives. We know we have a key part to play. Food and drink manufacturers will continue to reformulate their products and put healthier or smaller portioned products on the market.
“We are however greatly concerned by the timing of the recently launched public consultation proposing the option of a complete online advertising ban of a broad range of
food and drink products; a disproportionate proposal with an impossibly short time period given for responses given the level of technical detail sought.
“The sheer volume of critical work facing food companies in the next few weeks means that at this time we simply cannot give this consultation the resource it deserves and demands.
Something will have to give. The timing of this consultation is frankly astonishing, especially as the Government’s stated ambition is to introduce these proposed advertising restrictions at the end of 2022. There is no reason to introduce this consultation and demand submission responses with such haste while effectively limiting our opportunity to respond, especially before the end of December.
“The UK Government is quite correctly committed to evidence-based policy making. However, the evidence base underpinning these proposals is lacking in both detail and efficacy. Additionally, there is still no agreed definition of which foods the Government is including in these proposals. They are so broad they even capture family favourites from chocolate to peanut butter to sausage rolls.”
