Common Sense Commends Food and Beverage Industry for Positive Step Toward Responsible Marketing
July 18, 2007
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Common Sense Media CEO and founder James Steyer commended the 11 major food and beverage companies who announced today that they've committed to improving kids’ nutrition by adopting new marketing policies, but said further action is warranted to address advertising’s contribution to childhood obesity.
“Childhood obesity is an epidemic in this country, and the research clearly shows that junk food advertising is a major part of the problem,” Steyer said. “By agreeing to restrict the kinds of foods that they will advertise to kids under 12, these companies are taking a responsible stand to help keep America’s kids fit. But make no mistake about it: There's a whole lot more work to be done. A lot of marketing to kids takes place on the Internet these days, and that’s an area where the food and beverage industry needs to take a hard look at its practices.”
The rate of childhood obesity among kids 6 to 11 has tripled in America over the past three decades. Today, nearly one in five 6 to 11 year olds is obese.
The companies -- including PepsiCo. Inc., McDonald’s, Kellogg Company, General Mills Inc., Kraft Inc., and The Hershey Company -- have all pledged to take part in the Council of Better Business Bureaus’ (CBBB) Children’s Food and Beverage Advertising Initiative. The companies made their announcement before a forum on childhood obesity in Washington, D.C., jointly hosted by the Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Health and Human Services.
“We at Common Sense are very pleased to have played a part on the FCC’s Obesity Task Force, which helped make today’s announcement a reality,” Steyer said. “In terms of corporate responsibility, this is a huge step in the right direction. These companies recognize that their advertising practices have a direct impact on the health of America’s kids, and they’ve stood up and begun to hold themselves accountable. We hope more food, beverage and media companies will follow their lead.”
About Common Sense Media
Common Sense Media is the nation's leading nonpartisan organization dedicated to improving the impact of media and entertainment on kids and families. Common Sense Media provides trustworthy ratings and reviews of media and entertainment based on child development criteria created by leading national experts.
