SPD Proposes Restricting Marketing of Sweets and Fast Food in Kid's Deliveries
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In a move aimed at protecting the health and well-being of children, the Social Democratic Party (SPD) in Germany has announced plans to quickly ban advertising for sweets and fast food in children's programs. This decision aligns with global efforts to regulate advertising targeted at children.
According to Rita Hagl-Kehl, nutrition expert of the SPD parliamentary group, children are vulnerable consumers who need special protection. Hagl-Kehl has been a long-time advocate for a ban on advertising unhealthy foods like sodas, snacks, and sweets targeted at children.
The ban, if implemented, would apply to advertising on TV, in magazines and posters, on the radio, and online. It is intended to shield children from the constant barrage of messages promoting unhealthy food choices.
The legal possibilities for the implementation of this project are being examined in the Ministry of Food. One approach could involve legislative changes, where the SPD would need to propose a bill, pass it through committees, and secure a majority vote in both chambers of the German parliament.
Another option is to reuse existing laws concerning advertising and consumer protection. The SPD might look to enhance or modify these laws to specifically address the advertising of sweets and fast food during children's programs.
Regulatory frameworks could also play a role in this process. The Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) or the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (BMFSFJ) could be involved in creating or updating guidelines or regulations that would enforce such a ban.
Before any implementation, there would be a period of public consultation and debate among stakeholders, including industry representatives, consumer groups, and health organizations.
The timeline for implementation would depend on the political will, the complexity of the proposed legislation, and any potential legal challenges. It could take several months to a few years to pass and implement such a law.
The traffic light coalition, a corresponding agreement in the coalition agreement, is mentioned as a means to implement this ban. The World Health Organization's nutrient profiles with limits for sugar, fat, and salt, developed in 2015, could serve as a benchmark for the proposed ban.
For a precise timeline and legal details, it would be necessary to monitor official announcements from the SPD and relevant German government agencies.
Other science, such as health-and-wellness and nutrition, could be utilized to research the effects of unhealthy food advertising on children, providing evidence to support the SPD's proposed ban. The ban, by shielding children from constant messages promoting unhealthy food choices, aligns with global efforts in health-and-wellness and nutrition aimed at promoting healthier food habits among young consumers.
