A review of responses to the consultation on the four proposals presented by Ofcom, which look at how foods high in fat, salt or sugar should be marketed to children, showed that 29 national health charities and organisations supported a pre-9pm restriction on any junk food advertising.
This includes charities such as the British Heart Foundation, Cancer Research, the Heart & Stroke Association, the Royal College of Physicians, Diabetes UK and the British Medical Association. The 14 consumer and public interest organisations include the National Youth Agency, National Consumer Council, Which, the National Union of Teachers, the Health Education Trust, the International Obesity Task Force and Ofcom's own advisory committee for England.
Their call was also backed by the Office of the Children's Commissioner and the government's food regulator, the Food Standards Agency.
Other options that have been laid on the table by Ofcom include restrictions on content, timing, sponsorship and volume of food and drink ads.
Jane Landon, deputy chief executive of the National Heart Forum, said: "Ofcom has argued throughout the consultation process that a 9pm ban on junk food advertising would be 'disproportionate'.
"Yet these responses to their own consultation bear witness to the widespread and rising concern about the damage to children's health and well being from commercial pressures to eat unhealthy foods.
She added: "As Ofcom makes up its mind about what action to propose, it will surely have to rethink its notions of proportionality, both in terms of the huge public health gains from a 9pm ban and of such overwhelming public support."
Ofcom is due to announce the outcome of its consultation in the autumn.
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