The Great Fast Food Court Trial
The Verdict: Guilty of Misleading and Manipulating Children & Families
This is not a typical trial. This trial has giants of the food industry, represented by Burger Corp., Soda Inc. and Cereal Puffs Holdings.
Their charge: Deceiving the public, manipulating children, and sidelining healthy food from everyday diets.
The Judge bangs his gavel and says “court is now in session”, looking over the food-fight lineup: 1) Cheeseburger defendant, a carton of cereal puffs, a soda cup, and a child health advocate (the prosecutor).
The prosecutor: “Members of the jury” she begins, pointing at Burger Corp., “this defendant is charged with aggressive marketing and manipulation. For years, it has bombarded us with slogans like “Get a free toy with our meal” to attract children into eating. The public is misled!!”
The three defendants get up from their stands “Objection Your Honor, that is a lie! We provide protein and energy with a nice twist!”
“ Your Honor, this isn’t just about sugar, fat, and salt. It’s about how these companies used distract, deceit, and dollars.
Here are facts: 1) In 2022, 37 million children under the age of 5 were overweight. How did we get here? A large chunk of these kids’ diets comes from the very defendants in this room!”
2) “Food and beverage companies pour nearly $2 billion a year into marketing to kids, as a result, the average child watches over ten food ads every single day ”
3) “Studies even show that when children are exposed to food advertisements, they consume 45% more snacks than kids who see no ads”.
“Defense, you may call your first witness.”
Cereal Puffs Holdings: “What about me? I’m just sugary good morning vibe! I give kids energy for school.”
Soda Inc: “We offer value! Dollar menus! Free refills!”
Court reconvens after lunch
The jury reviews the charges once again “ Misleading and manipulating children and families”
Judge giving his sentence: “Fast food properties, the court finds you severely at fault.” “Here are the next steps:”
New regulations: Fast food ads during children’s programs get banned or carry big red “Warning: High in Sugar/Salt” labels. Menu labeling: All children’s meals must display calories and fat content in plain view. Taxes and subsidies: Sugary drink tax increases and subsidies on fresh fruits and vegetables No more false claims: Cartoons or celebrities can’t advertise a junk food as nutritious.
Already, many countries have begun curbing junk-food marketing to kids with an example being Portugal.
“Ta ذغ iya” by Sarah Zahr
Portugal has become the first country in the European Union to enact a regulation for digital marketing of unhealthy foods to children. The legislation specifically targets advertising campaigns promoting high-energy products and those containing excessive levels of salt, sugar, and fats to protect children under tha age of 16.
Sources
- Parra-Murillo M, Lowery CM, Gómez LF, Mora-Plazas M, Taillie LS, Dillman Carpentier FR. Claims on Ready-to-Eat Cereals: Are Those With Claims Healthier? Front Nutr. 2021 Nov 26;8:770489. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2021.770489. PMID: 34901117; PMCID: PMC8662936
- Mulligan C, Remedios L, Ramsay T, Pauzé E, Bagnato M, Potvin Kent M. The impact of characters like Tony the Tiger and other child-targeted techniques used in food and beverage marketing. Front Nutr. 2023 Dec 5;10:1287473. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2023.1287473. PMID: 38115882; PMCID: PMC10728630.
- Facts junk food marketing and kids Prevention Institute
