Good news: Norway bans marketing of unhealthful food to kids

We need good news.  This announcement comes from the Norwegian government.

It will still be legal to sell these products to children and youth, but marketing unhealthy products to this group will be illegal.

When it comes to products covered by the ban, the most unhealthy products, such as candy, soft drinks, ice cream and energy drinks, cannot be marketed particularly towards children. For other products, such as cereals, yogurt and fast food, limits for different nutrients are used to cover the most unhealthy products in these categories. For example, for breakfast cereals, the content of sugar and dietary fibre determines whether the product can be marketed particularly towards children or not.

The foods that are covered by the ban are listed in a product list attached to the regulation (in Norwegian, PDF).

I looked for an English translation and found this from Obesity Action Scotland:

The ban on unhealthy food advertising will cover all forms of marketing, including television, print, online, and in schools. Products affected by the ban include sugary drinks, salty snacks, and fast food…The regulation will ban the advertising of unhealthy foods that are high in fat, salt, or sugar. It will also ban the advertising of foods that are marketed as being “healthy” or “natural,” if they are high in unhealthy ingredients.

Impressive!  I wish RFK Jr’s MAHA campaign would do this as well as removing color additives.

Thanks to Marit Kolby for sending this.