THE IRISH Heart Foundation and the National Heart Alliance have called for a pre-9pm ban on all television advertising of foods that are high in fat, sugar and salt.
The foundation’s Maureen Mulvihill told the Joint Committee on Communications, Energy and Natural Resources yesterday that such a move by the proposed new Broadcasting Authority of Ireland would protect children from sophisticated advertising campaigns that promote unhealthy foods.
“A 6am to 9pm ban would protect the health of children, address the concerns of Irish parents and respond to the robust scientific evidence that links commercial promotion of foods and beverages to poor diets in children,” she said.
“The new Bill, under three articles, makes provision for the new authority to bring in legislation to restrict advertising of food high in fat. We want them to be cognisant of the fact that doing it just for children’s programming, or just up to 7pm is not adequate, that it really needs to go 9pm,” she added.
The committee was told there was an epidemic of childhood obesity in Ireland, with 1 in 5 children aged between 5 and 17 years categorised as obese.
Fianna Fáil Senator Maria Corrigan asked the committee to note that obese children often have little say in the make-up of their own diet, and that parents should accept greater responsibility.
“A four-year-old consuming fizzy drinks and crisps is something they have no control over, it is the role of parents, schools and young people’s committees to address this,” she said.
The Broadcasting Bill 2008 was passed by the Dáil last week and is with the Seanad for final approval. The Bill amalgamates broadcasting legislation passed over the past five decades, as well as creating a new regulatory body in the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland.