July 2010
EUROPE
UK: Government announces new Childhood and Families Task Force
On 22 June 2010, Deputy Prime Minister and Liberal Democrat Leader Nick Clegg announced the UK government will establish a new Childhood and Families Task Force to develop policies to improve childhood and family life in the UK. The taskforce will be chaired by Prime Minister David Cameron and will include Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith, Minister of State for Children and Families Sarah Teather, Minister of State for Universities and Science David Willetts, Public Health Minister Anne Milton and Economic Secretary to the Treasury Justine Greening, as well as Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg himself.
AMERICAS
United States: Study Calls to Restrict Use of Licensed Characters to Advertise Junk Food to Children
On 21 June, Yale's Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity released findings that children can be influenced to eat sugary snacks that carry images of cartoon characters but not healthier foods such as carrots. According to Christina Roberto, the lead author of the study entitled "Influence of Licensed Characters on Children's Taste and Snack Preferences", these results make a strong argument for removing licensed cartoon characters from all food packaging.
Brazil: National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) publishes resolution on HFSS food advertising
On 29 June 2010, the Brazilian National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) published a resolution on HFSS food advertising in the Official Gazette.The resolution includes several restrictions on food advertising, without however highlighting specific limitations regarding advertising to children. The rules are described as being legally binding. However, Anvisa's competency to introduce legislation has been contested by industry in the past.
AUSTRALASIA
Australia: New study on children's lunchboxes makes recommendations on advertising to children
On 2 June 2010, researchers of the Physical Activity Nutrition and Obesity Research Group of the Sidney School of Public Health published a survey on the contents of children's lunchboxes, finding that "they contained an excessive amount of extra foods and drinks." Restricting food marketing was recommended as one way to deal with this issue.
Australia: Advertising Standards Bureau publishes survey of Community perceptions of sex, sexuality and nudity in advertising
On 21 June 2010, the Australian Advertising Standards Bureau released a study on "Community perceptions of sex, sexuality and nudity in advertising", which found that Australians are concerned about the sexual portrayal of children and young people in advertising.