The Socialist Group calls for a swift ban on advertising unhealthy food
The SPD parliamentary group in the Bundestag is pushing for the swift implementation of a ban on advertising unhealthy foods. "The law to protect children from advertising food high in sugar, fat, or salt should be discussed and passed quickly in the Bundestag after the summer break," said Susanne Mittag, spokesperson for the SPD parliamentary group's working group on food and agriculture, in an interview with the Düsseldorf-based "Rheinische Post".
The Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture had proposed a comprehensive ban on advertising unhealthy foods last year. This includes a general ban on advertising such foods on television and the internet during peak viewing times for children.
The relevant draft is far enough along in interdepartmental discussions to be decided on in cabinet in one of the coming weeks, the "Rheinische Post" reported, citing parliamentary sources. Parliamentary discussions could then begin after the summer break.
The Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture, led by Cem Özdemir (Greens), did not provide any details on the timeline when asked by the newspaper. A bill to implement the mandate from the coalition agreement for regulating advertising of foods high in sugar, salt, and fat to children is currently in government internal discussions.
The SPD's push for a swift implementation of the prohibition of advertising unhealthy foods aligns with the existing proposal by the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture. Failure to enact the prohibition of advertising unhealthy foods during peak viewing times for children could potentially undermine the intended protection for children from food advertising high in sugar, fat, or salt.
