Data suggests that packaged foods, especially those marketed to children, are significantly higher in sugar and lower in other nutrients than foods not targeted at children.
A Canadian study of nearly 6,000 processed foods found that products with child-friendly packaging exceeded Health Canada nutritional standards ( 98% vs 94%; P < .001).
Christine Mulligan
“Our goal has always been to try to provide solid evidence to support the implementation of marketing regulations in Canada,” said study author Christine Mulligan, a doctoral candidate at the University of Toronto. Medscape Medical News.
“Our findings align directly with a growing body of literature in Canada and around the world that speaks to the vast amount of marketing of unhealthy products that children are exposed to on packaging and in many other media and environments. ” she added. “All this evidence taken together shows that we need to take urgent action to protect our children.”
The study was published online on May 3. Pro Swan.
high in sugar
In this cross-sectional study, researchers used a newly developed tool called Child-Appealing Packaging (CAP) to analyze children's marketing on product packaging, comparing the nutritional quality of children's products to non-children's products. compared to the nutritional quality of
The CAP tool identifies the core techniques that make packaging appealing to children. We also identify a wide range of marketing techniques that do not make packaging appealing to children on their own, but enhance the persuasiveness of the overall marketing message.
Researchers sampled 5,850 child-related packaged foods from the University of Toronto's Food Label Information Program (FLIP) 2017 database. The database includes product nutritional information and ingredient list data, as well as photos of all sides of the product packaging. FLIP 2017 classifies products according to Health Canada's Reference Amount Schedule (RA) for major food categories (e.g., bakery products) and subcategories (e.g., cookies).
Almost 13% of children's products had child-friendly packaging. The categories with the highest proportion of such products were toaster pastries (100%), cereals (53.4%), and crackers (42.4%). Several categories had the highest absolute numbers of packages aimed at children, including candy, ice cream, cookies, meals, and juices.
The categories with the lowest percentage of products with child-friendly packaging were cheese, hot cocoa, and meat.
The techniques and marketing forces used varied. The most common methods were “visual/graphic design for children” (10% of products), “appealing fun or coolness” (3.3%), and “presence of a brand character or spokesperson” (3.2%) was.
Based on the nutrient profile model proposed by Health Canada to support marketing restrictions, nearly all children's products would be subject to restrictions on advertising to children, but products with children's packaging would be subject to restrictions. This results in significant limitations compared to products that do not. -Child-friendly packaging (97.9% vs. 94.2%). Across all food categories, more than 82% of products with children's packaging will be restricted from being directly advertised to children.
As previously mentioned, products with children's packaging had lower total sugars (median 14.7 g/RA vs. 9 g/RA for non-children's packaging) and free sugars (11.5 g/RA vs. 6.2 g/RA). ) but lower in all other nutrients compared to Health Canada reference amounts.
parents face pressure
“Product packaging has been identified as the number one source of children's exposure to unhealthy food marketing, and is a platform that is often ignored by restrictions and regulations and is exploited by food and beverage manufacturers. “This presents a dangerous loophole,” the researchers wrote.
“Unhealthy products that are heavily marketed to children are [the] “This packaging is prevalent in the food supply,” they wrote, and “implementing marketing regulations to protect children should be a priority.”
Mulligan said that while parents play a role in their children's diet, “parents already face a lot of pressure when making food decisions for their families, and that food marketing has an impact on children.” Parents should not be responsible for combating the effects of child abuse.” This is where the government needs to step in and take the lead. ”
Government efforts are currently underway. Mulligan pointed out that a private member's bill (C-252), which would restrict the marketing of food and drink to children, is currently being considered in Parliament. Additionally, Health Canada recently released a draft marketing policy, which is currently under public consultation.
Meanwhile, “clinicians can direct parents to nutritional resources, such as the Canadian Food Guide, to help parents make the healthiest choices possible,” Mulligan said. They can also “advocate for the implementation of strong marketing policies that will help take pressure off parents…Consultations on Health Canada's marketing policies are open to everyone and real-time It’s a great way to get involved in policy action.”
Commenting on this theme in Medscape, the Canadian Pediatric Society said, “Eating habits are formed in childhood, and poor diets are associated with many chronic health conditions, including overweight and obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.'' Current trends indicate that childhood nutrition requires a multifaceted approach. [society] Therefore, we support efforts to regulate and limit the sale of foods high in sodium, sugar, and saturated fat to children. ”
This research was funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research's Frederick Banting and Charles Best Doctoral Award. Mulligan has disclosed no relevant financial relationships.
Pro Swan. Published online on May 3, 2023.Full text
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