/customerservice/
|
Marketers limit 'junk food' commercials aimed at kids
In a step toward improving the diets of America's youngest consumers, 11 big food companies will stop advertising certain cereals, snacks and other items on children's TV unless they can lower the products' sugar, fat and calories. The voluntary move is aimed at heading off a government crackdown prompted partly by an increase in childhood obesity (abnormally high weight). Affected products include Trix, Cap'n Crunch, Foot Loops and Apple Jacks cereal, as well as Pop-Tarts and Bubblicious gum. If they can't change the ingredients to meet nutrition guidelines, food makers will replace ads for so-called junk foods with spots for healthier alternatives. 'We want to help families make good choices,' said an executive at General Mills, a major cereal brand. Another company, McDonald's, said its national kids' ads will feature only balanced meals of 600 calories or less. Advertisers spend an estimated $900 million each year to influence children under 12 watching Nickelodeon, ABC Family, the Disney Channel, Cartoon Network and other channels. The voluntary limits exclude ads on 'family entertainment,' such as American Idol or the Animal Planet and National Geographic cable networks.
Front Page Talking Points is written by
Felix Grabowski and Alan Stamm for NIEonline.com, Copyright 2013
We welcome comments or suggestions for future topics: Click here to Comment Front Page Talking Points Archive►Northeast braces for noisy invasion: Flying cicada bugs return after hiding for 17 years ►U.S. military prison at Guantanamo, Cuba, remains a tricky problem for President Obama ►Doctors warn about serious health risks from 'The Cinnamon Challenge' video craze ►Earth Day on April 22 focuses attention on how we can protect the natural environment ►Thousands of past players take on the National Football League over brain injuries ►North Korean missile threats create concern and U.S. show of military force ►South Africa reflects on the huge legacy of Nelson Mandela, hospitalized at 94 ►They come from space: NASA seeks money to spot and deflect risks from large asteroids ►This 'March Madness' basketball tournament season is special – the 75th in history ►Coming soon to your screen: Facebook changes its news feed to give users more content choices |
Food companies also will alter print and online pitches to kids. In addition to snacks and beverages, ask pupils what other products and services are advertised to them. Have them find and comment on examples in the newspaper or on its website. 
Start a discussion of how consumers should evaluate ads. Challenge class members to distinguish between those with useful information and others that seem to appeal only to emotions or impulses.
While TV ads for kids' foods or diversions usually appear on entertainment shows, those in newspapers run alongside news and information. See if students can find nutrition news, health tips or other fitness advice.
Food executive says: 'Food advertisers can and should be part of the solution, and this is an important step forward by our industry." -- David Mackay, president and chief executive officer of Kellogg Company.