Harman supports ban for junk food ads

Harriet Harman, the Labour MP and candidate for the party’s deputy leadership, has pledged her support for a campaign to ban “junk food” adverts to children before 9pm. The campaign is also supported by health campaigners and chefs Anthony Worrall Thomson and Raymond Blanc.

A letter, written by the Children’s Food Campaign and signed by groups such as the British Heart Foundation, has been sent to senior politicians to support the Television Advertising Bill, which was introduced by Baroness Thornton. It calls for advertising of food high in fat, salt and sugar (HFSS) to be banned before 9pm and also for the restriction advertising of food “ranges” containing HFSS items before 9pm. It also wants to stop HFSS food companies sponsoring shows before the watershed.

Earlier this year, new rules were introduced to stop food companies advertising HFSS products around children’s programming after a review by broadcast watchdog, Ofcom. Campaigners for food, health and children’s groups do not believe the rules go far enough and have continued to call for tigther regulations.

The campaign is supported by more than 50 health, consumer and children’s organisations. The Children’s Food Campaign is supported by 300 organisations and is coordinated by Sustain.