Aussie State Advances ban on Public Transport Sandwiches; More Prohibitions to Follow
Going Ham-Less on Ads: South Australia's Crusade Against Junk Food Advertising
South Australia is taking a stand against obesity by banning ads for junk food on public transport, including ham sandwiches, from July 1. This move aims to shield children from constant bombardment of ads for unhealthy food and drinks, recognizing the link between processed meats and increased risk of bowel and stomach cancers.
The ban on items like processed meats, lollies, chocolates, desserts, soft drinks, chips, ice creams, and other confectionery products will apply to Adelaide's buses, trains, and trams. However, the marketing industry body Australian Association of National Advertisers (AANA) criticizes this "blanket ban," arguing that it's too extreme and lacking in evidence-based decision-making.
Josh Faulks, AANA CEO, explains that the policy is problematic because it bans all processed meats, making it impossible to advertise a simple ham salad sandwich. He advocates for a science-based approach, suggesting the use of a nutrient profiling scoring criteria to determine which foods should be restricted from advertising.
Under a science-based approach, events like Tasting Australia would still be allowed to show images of charcuterie boards or pastries in their advertisements, as long as the items are incidental and unbranded.
Health Minister Chris Picton, however, brush's off AANA's concerns, accusing the body of spreading fear and misinformation. He emphasizes that this is a government-led initiative, and it's not up to advertising industry lobbyists to decide what is displayed on public transport assets.
Several organizations, including Preventative Health SA and the Cancer Council, have endorsed the ban. In 2022, Cancer Council warned parents about the link between processed meats and increased risk of bowel and stomach cancer. The Australian Dietary Guidelines label these foods as 'discretionary,' suggesting they should be eaten occasionally.
Taking a Bite Out of Processed Meats
In 2019, the Cancer Council stirred controversy by advising parents to avoid adding muesli bars, ham sandwiches, and savory biscuits to their children's school lunch boxes. In response, the organization suggested healthier alternatives like homemade muesli bars, zucchini, broccoli, and cheese hashbrown cups, fruit loaf, pumpkin, and sweet potato scones, or offering fruit juice, milk, water, pita bread with roast vegetable dip, or vegetable muffins instead of a bag of biscuits. Popcorn and roasted chickpeas were also recommended over a packet of chips.
The debate surrounding junk food advertising and its impact on public health continues. While South Australia pushes for tighter restrictions, the marketing industry argues for evidence-based, science-driven policies. Only time will tell whether this ban will lead to a healthier Australia or if it's an unjustified overreach.
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- South Australia's ban on junk food advertising, including some processed meats, will take effect from July 1, aiming to protect children from constant exposure to ads for unhealthy food.
- The ban encompasses various items like processed meats, lollies, chocolates, soft drinks, chips, ice creams, and other confectionery products, affecting ads on Adelaide's buses, trains, and trams.
- The Australian Association of National Advertisers (AANA) criticizes this "blanket ban," arguing that it lacks evidence-based decision-making, as it bans all processed meats, even a simple ham salad sandwich.
- A science-based approach, using a nutrient profiling scoring criteria, is advocated by AANA to determine which foods should be restricted from advertising, allowing events like Tasting Australia to show images of charcuterie boards or pastries.
- Health-and-wellness advocates, including Preventative Health SA and the Cancer Council, endorse the ban, with the Cancer Council labeling processed meats as 'discretionary' in the 2022 Australian Dietary Guidelines and linking them to increased risk of bowel and stomach cancer.
- Fitness-and-exercise enthusiasts could find healthier alternatives for school lunches, as suggested by the Cancer Council in 2019, such as homemade muesli bars, zucchini, broccoli, and cheese hashbrown cups, or fruit juice, milk, water, and vegetable muffins over a bag of biscuits.
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