Are your children eating fatty, sugary food?WHO issues guidelines for protecting children from unhealthy food marketing

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Also read: How junk food ads mislead with health pitch Food marketing remains a threat to public health as it influences children's food choices, intended choices, and norms related to food consumption. The WHO's recommendation is based on a thorough review of the evidence regarding policies to restrict food marketing, taking into account contextual factors. To be effective, policies should be mandatory, cover children of all ages, use a government-led nutrient profile model to classify restricted foods, and be comprehensive in scope.

Processed and less nutritious foods are often marketed skilfully, readily available, and affordable, while healthier options are frequently more expensive and inaccessible to many. WHO cited the definition of a child from the ‘Convention on the Rights of the Child’ to ensure that policies protect all children. The agency suggested recommendations for countries to use a nutrient profile model, that governments develop.

WHO emphasises that policies to protect children from the harmful impact of food marketing should be part of a broader approach to creating supportive food environments. Local consultations are essential for adapting WHO recommendations to specific contexts, with measures in place to prevent undue influence by conflicts of interest. These guidelines aim to assist governments in establishing healthy food environments that promote lifelong healthy eating habits, improve dietary quality, and reduce the risk of noncommunicable diseases worldwide.