Reacting to a new rules banning the advertisement of 13 categories of products that are high in fat, sugar and salt on TV before the 9pm watershed and online at any time, Professor Grant McIntyre, Dean of the Faculty of Dental Surgery said:
“As there is strong evidence that children are more likely to eat unhealthy foods when they see junk food advertisements, we welcome this ban as an important next step in protecting children from junk food that has long term consequences for their oral, physical and mental health.
“However, a number of significant loopholes remain. For instance, companies will be allowed to switch from product advertising to brand advertising. Moreover, as the new rules only cover paid for advertising, social media influencers will still be able to use viral adverts to promote products using that are having real life impacts.
“So, whilst it is important to act now to address the unacceptably high levels of obesity in the UK, we must still pursue a total ban of all forms of junk food advertising aimed at children.”