The decision by nine companies not to advertise high fat products should set an example: Dr KK Aggarwal

New Delhi, February 8, 2018: Heart Care Foundation of India hailed the decision by nine major food business operators who have decided not to advertise products with high fat on children’s channels. Commenting on the decision Padma Shri Awardee and President Heart Care Foundation of India Dr KK Aggarwal said this decision should have been taken by the government earlier but self-regulation is the best way to tackle such issues.

It is the Food and Beverage Alliance of India (FBIA) who decided to voluntarily restrict food and beverage advertisements concerning children. The government is still not proposing a ban on telecast of junk food and cold/soft drinks advertisements on television as per Information and Broadcasting Minister Smriti Irani in a reply to the Parliament.

Dr Aggarwal who is also Immediate Past National President IMA said, that earlier the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) had constituted an expert group to address the issue of high fat, sugar and salt foods which, made a recommendation regarding ban on food with high fat, sugar and salt advertising on children’s channels or during children shows. FSSAI on this recommendation remarked that the food businesses could be asked to voluntarily desist from advertising high fat, sugar and salt foods on children’s channels.