Ad industry falls in line with junk food ad rules

LONDON - New rules governing the advertising of food and soft drink are being observed almost to the letter, a survey of 759 ads has revealed.

The Advertising Standards Authority, which carried out the survey, said that advertisers were complying with the new rules that were adopted in the advertising codes in July last year. Of the tiny fraction of ads found to fall foul of the code, none actually were in breach of the new food rules.

The rules have been introduced as part of concerns about childhood obesity -- they are designed to restrict demand for less healthy foods and encourage the promotion of healthier alternatives.

Advertisers have run into the occasional hitch with the code. Asda discovered during one ad shoot that to include whole milk in the spot could potentially be in breach, because the fat content of milk fluctuates throughout the year.

In total, 759 ads were monitored and only six, or 0.8%, were found in breach of the codes.

The team assessed 292 television ads, seven direct mailings, 20 online ads, 33 posters, 377 press ads, three cinema ads and 27 circulars.

The ASA will continue to monitor ads, and the effect of the rules is to be reviewed this year.

Christopher Graham, director-general of the ASA, said: "The compliance rate of advertisements with the new food rules is encouraging and highlights the benefits of a self-regulatory system for advertising standards. The industry has responded to government and consumer concern about childhood obesity and the advertising landscape has changed as a result."

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