Food Politics

The childhood obesity team at Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) sends along its new year’s greeting: “great anti-junk food marketing” moments in 2008.  These mostly focus on progress in industry self-regulation (voluntary) but also on congressional legislation to restrict marketing and put healthier foods in schools.  Food marketing to kids is the point of food industry vulnerability.  Food companies must stop marketing junk foods to kids.  Voluntary self-regulation is notoriously ineffective.  Legislative intervention is essential.  Maybe this will be possible under the new administration?  Fingers crossed.

• Reverse obesity in New York City? Here’s how
• New report on marketing to kids in schools
• Shrek Sells Junk Food in Australia
• Should the First Amendment protect the marketing of junk foods to kids?
• CSPI’s report card on food marketing policies (or the lack thereof)