The IPA has met with TfL to discuss the Mayor of London’s proposed ban on HFSS (high fat, salt and sugar) advertising across TfL’s estate as part of his Draft London Food Strategy.
During the meeting, IPA Director General, Paul Bainsfair, and Director of Legal and Public Affairs, Richard Lindsay, outlined the IPA’s written response to the consultation on the proposal which centres around four main issues: a lack of clarity over what constitutes healthy and unhealthy food and drink; the advertising of food and drink is not unregulated; the disproportionate effect of a ban on adults; and the effect on brand advertising.
Says Paul Bainsfair, Director General, IPA: “The IPA supports the aims of the Draft London Strategy, in particular, protecting children from obesity. However, we do not believe that a ban on HFSS ads across the TfL estate will significantly contribute to that aim. Advertising of HFSS foods to children is well regulated and a ban on ads for products that are ‘not healthy’ or ‘unhealthy’ by reference to the Nutrient Profiling Model would prevent ads for products which may actually form part of a balanced diet. It would also have the disproportionate effect of banning ads for products that are of interest to adults rather than children. We would suggest that promoting healthy lifestyles is more likely to help prevent childhood obesity than imposing ad bans."