TV loophole lets children watch junk food ads
Extract from the Telegraph:
"Millions of children are being exposed to junk food advertisements on television despite regulations to stamp them out, says a new report.
Mars bars, Cheestrings snacks, McDonald's restaurants, Pringles crisps and a host of other junk food brands are regularly being advertised during programmes popular with young children, says research by the consumer group Which?.
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Complicated rules introduced by the broadcasting regulator Ofcom have failed to prevent children aged nine and under from being exposed to a regular stream of crisp, chocolate and fast food commercials, its report says.
The rules, which came into force in April, ban any product high in sugar, saturated fat or salt being advertised during a programme watched predominantly by children. However, the rules are based on the proportion of children watching a programme rather than the actual number.
Which? analysed all programmes broadcast during two weeks in September and found that only two of the top 10 most popular shows watched by the under-10s, in terms of numbers, were subject to the restrictions.
The three most popular programmes were all family orientated - Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway, X-Factor and You've Been Framed - watched by 1.2 million under-10s.
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