Junk food adverts on TV and online could be banned before the watershed as part of Government plans to fight childhood obesity. Plans for ads to be taken off screens before 9pm have been put out for public consultation in a bid to combat the growing crisis, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) said. One in three children leaves primary school overweight or obese and the number of children classed as seriously obese is at a record high, according to the DHSC. Adverts for foods high in fat, sugar and salt will be consulted on, with the proposed pre-9pm ban affecting TV programmes, online streaming sites and social media companies, the DHSC said. Junk food adverts during children's TV shows have been banned since 2007 but research by broadcasting regulator Ofcom claimed youngsters spend 64% of their TV viewing time watching shows not aimed specifically at them. Top spending crisp, confectionery and sugary drinks companies in the UK spend £143 million a year on advertising compared to just £5 million spent annually by the Government on its healthy eating. McDonald’s has been accused of launching a “grotesque marketing strategy” that endangers public health by encouraging customers to eat more fast food in exchange for prizes such as fries, desserts and fizzy drinks.
