PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Food: Advertising (14 April 2021)

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps have been taken to protect businesses and jobs in the food and drink manufacturing industry on the high street from the effect of advertising restrictions on products that are high in fat, salt and sugar.

Asked by:
Bob Blackman (Conservative)

The Prime Minister has made it clear that tackling obesity is a priority for this Government. In July 2020 the Government outlined it’s Tackling Obesity strategy which details a host of measures aimed at improving the chances of citizens living a healthy lifestyle.

The Government proposed various options for restricting HFSS advertising in the 2019 and 2020 consultations targeted at protecting children from being exposed to advertising of unhealthy food products. Balanced against the priority of protecting children and tackling obesity, we have carefully considered the impact that any restrictions will have on industry and in particular the potential for market distortion or disproportionate effects on key business sectors.

The final policy will be set out in our consultation response due to be published shortly. The Government is committed to acting collaboratively to prepare businesses, individuals and organisations for changes to the rules around HFSS advertising.

Answered by:
Dame Caroline Dinenage (Conservative)
23 April 2021