Most people hate the fact that advertisements interrupt their favorite shows when they’re watching TV. Most of these ads consist of newly released car commercials, perfumes, and often new food deals at your favorite fast food chains. However, there is a big change coming to the amount of food advertisements you’ll see during the breaks of your favorite movies. Keep on reading to discover more about what is going to happen with ads on UK TV channels!
No More Junk Food Commercials On TV!
To get the country on a more “healthy” path and stop the temptation of Junk food, the UK government decided to make a change in the allowed advertisements on television. This project will reduce public exposure to foods as part of broader health initiatives.
The banishment of these food commercials intendeds to reduce the number of child obesity cases in the UK. It targets advertisements with sugar, Fats, and protein content. Now, one in 5 kids show tooth decay by the age of 5, which is caused by overconsuming sugar. In Addition to this one in 10 kids will struggle with obesity by the reception age and these rates keep rising. The intention is to reduce the amount of child obesity cases by 20.000 per year and remove 7.2 billion calories consumed by children each year!
The ads are not completely banned, but can only be aired after 9 pm so that fewer kids would be exposed to the advertisements. The rules will be implemented in October 2025!
It is more than just the Junk Food you’re thinking of!
While the intention might be good and actually would help reduce the amount of calories consumed by kids, people are not sure that the government is taking the right path. For example, the included food on the “junk-list” sparked controversy amongst people across the UK. The UK’s Labour government has classified 13 food and drink categories as “junk” and banned their television advertisements.
- Soft drinks: Any drink with added sugar is included in this category, including fruit juices, smoothies and energy drinks!
- Savory Snacks: Crisps advertisements are not allowed anymore. However, this category also includes crackers, rice cakes, tortilla chips, and more! Flavored nuts, dried fruit and jerky, are exempted from the category.
- Chocolates and sweets: This is one of the more understandable categories. However, it also includes chewing gum and popcorn, making it a little bit over the top.
- Ice cream
- Cakes and cupcakes; however, the icing on top of them, which is pure sugar, is exempted!
- Desserts and puddings
- Pizza: All sizes and examples of pizza are included in the category. The only things people can advertise are plain bases and garlic bread.
- Potatoes: Not all potato commercials are being banned. You can add them to commercials, as long as they’re uncooked or uncut!
- Ready meals: The perfect meals to help you when you don’t have time are now also banned from TV ads!
- Morning goods: Having an ad with yummy croissants or other pastries is not allowed anymore; even crumpets, scones, and fruit loves are included in the category!
The foods that sparked debate
These are the food options that most people agree with. However, there are other additions to the list that the population can’t really understand.
- Breakfast cereal: People understand that the list includes sugary cereal intended for kids. But the category also includes granola, muesli, and porridge oats!
- Biscuits and Bars: Protein and cereal bars, wafers and other biscuits or bars are now deemed “junk food” and can’t be in ads anymore!
- Yogurt: If you’re advertising unsweetened yogurt, you’re in the clear; however, if it’s sweetened in any way, it is not allowed to show up in ads anymore!
These last categories sparked the debate on whether or not the UK government is taking this seriously. They’re putting protein bars and granola in the same category as Pizza and pre-made burgers. However, other unhealthy food items, such as sausages, are excluded from the list.
