The World Health Organization suggests that a complete ban on advertising junk food to children is preferable to more limited controls such as those used in New Zealand.
The food and advertising industries say that self-regulation is working well here and there is no need to change anything. The Minister of Health says the government has no intention of banning the marketing food and drink to children.
Professor Robert Beaglehole strongly disagrees.
Read more: NZ Herald, 4 Jan 2010
The World Health Organization discussed a number of topics including the prevention of non-communicable diseases at its 18 January meeting. One topic was ways to protect children from marketing of unhealthy food and beverages. A report for the meeting made 12 recommendations.
Read the WHO report ‘Prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases: implementation of the global strategy’ (PDF)