No junk food ads on kids channels: Firms

The government on Thursday said there is no proposal at present to ban advertisements of junk food on television, while nine major food business operators have decided not to advertise products with high fat on children’s channels.

Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore told the Lok Sabha during Question Hour that bodies like the Food and Beverage Alliance of India (FBIA) have already decided to voluntarily restrict food and beverage advertisements targeting children.

On whether the government proposes to impose a ban on telecast of junk food and cold/soft drinks advertisements on television, Information and Broadcasting Minister Smriti Irani said in a written reply that “presently there is no such proposal”.

Nine major food business operators have decided not to advertise products with high fat, salt or sugar on children’s channels, she said.

While asking supplementaries, some MPs raised concerns about junk food affecting the health of children. 

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) had constituted an expert group to address the issue of high fat, sugar and salty foods.

“The expert group in its report made a recommendation regarding ban on food with high fat, sugar and salt advertising on children’s channels or during children shows.

“On this recommendation, the remarks of the FSSAI were that the food businesses could be asked to voluntarily desist from advertising high fat, sugar and salt foods on children’s channels,” Ms Irani said.