Dietitians of Canada calls for better controls on food advertising to children
By Adnews Staff
The Toronto-based Dietitians of Canada has released a position paper calling for more effective controls on the advertising of foods and beverages to children, including television commercials, product placements, cartoon characters, celebrity endorsements, marketing in schools, and other communication channels. According to the organization, the current system of self-regulation does not go far enough and should be altered to incorporate science-based standards for determining what food and beverages can be advertised, to be established via a process led by the federal government as well as health-related non-government organizations, health professionals, consumers and the food industry. The paper states that this should be accompanied by an enhanced self-regulatory system with a monitoring mechanism to ensure compliance and receive complaints. "Evidence is clear," said Judy Sheeshka of Dietitians of Canada. "The current food advertising environment leads to poorer food choices for children. This can hinder children's growth and development. We need to act now before further damage is done."