273707 Case study of industry lobbying on junk food marketing to children

Monday, October 29, 2012 : 11:11 AM - 11:31 AM

Michele Simon, JD, MPH , Eat Drink Politics, Oakland, CA
Over the past several years, public health and children's advocates have been raising the alarm regarding the problem of junk food marketing to children. In the U.S., four federal government agencies came together to propose voluntary, science-based guidelines for the food industry to follow to improve children's health. A storm of protest and lobbying campaign ensued, ultimately resulting in the federal government backing down. While a few European nations do restrict how children can be marketed to, there are increasing global concerns about children's exposure to junk food messages. And yet no international response has emerged to address this serious threat to children's health. This presentation will describe the U.S. experience of massive industry lobbying as a cautionary tale to other nations for what they may be in for in attempting to regulate junk food marketing to children.

Learning Areas:
Advocacy for health and health education
Public health or related public policy

Learning Objectives:
Identify the lobbying groups and tactics of the junk food industry Describe the power of corporations in both the US and global debates related to junk food marketing to children Respond to industry talking points to advocate for children.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am qualified to be a presenter on the content that I am responsible for because: 17 years experience in the field.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.