05/02/2007

Mars to pull adverts aimed at children

The company which manufactures popular chocolate bars such as Mars and Snickers has announced that it will stop using advertising campaigns which target children under 12.

Masterfoods said that it would cease to advertise in magazines and during television shows which were aimed at the under-twelves by the end of this year.

The company already has a policy of not targeting advertising at children under 6.

However, it is not clear how the company will prevent children gaining access to websites promoting its products.

The move comes after television watchdog Ofcom announced a ban on junk food advertising during TV shows aimed at the under-16s.

Masterfoods is the first food manufacturer to announce such a high minimum age cut-off for advertising its products.

(KMcA)

Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

22 September 2009
Search For ITV Boss Stalls Over Pay
It has emerged that salary concerns are holding back a bid by ITV to find a new boss. Their attempt to hire a new Chief Executive is stalling over the preferred candidate - said by the Daily Telegraph to be the former BSkyB boss Tony Ball - who is asking for a deal worth £30m over five years.
11 April 2013
Calls Made For Ban On Advertising Aimed At Under 11's
A group of authors, journalists and academics have come together to call for the ban of advertising aimed at children of primary school age and younger.
17 November 2006
Crackdown on junk food advertising announced
The industry regulator has proposed a ban on the advertising of junk food during programmes aimed at children. Ofcom said that the restrictions would apply to all children's programmes and children's channels as well as adult shows, which also appeal to children.
03 March 2011
ITV Profits Gets X Factor Boost
There has been a major profits surge for the commercial broadcaster, ITV. It has reported that pre-tax profit almost tripled last year to £321m thanks to a market-beating 16% boost in TV ad revenues, but its programme making division struggled as earnings dropped more than 10%. ITV reported total revenues up 10% to £2.
25 March 2011
MP Calls For New Measures To Protect Children From Alcohol Advertising


Next week, Sarah Wollaston MP will put forward a private member’s bill urging the government to adopt a new approach to protect UK children from alcohol advertising. 

In an editorial published on bmj.