In letter sent to prime minister firms ask for more time to respond to policy consultationFood and drink manufacturers have pleaded with the prime minister to meet them to discuss alternatives to far-reaching plans for a total ban on online junk food advertising. But a range of foods, from avocados and marmite to jam and cream, could be caught alongside what is viewed as traditional “junk food”. The tougher-than-expected rules came after Johnson changed his own view on personal health decisions following his coronavirus infection this year. The letter to Johnson said that the food and drink industry agree that products high in fat, salt or sugar should not be targeted at children. It accused the government of disregarding submissions that advertisers used sophisticated online tools to aim their advertisements at adult audiences.

Source: The Guardian November 22, 2020 16:18 UTC