The Ministry of Consumption has published this Monday the royal decree that will regulate the advertising of foods and drinks high in sugars aimed at minors, which It presents as a novelty the prohibition to celebrities and influencers to appear in the ads that advertise these products.
According to the decree, the appearances of “educators, teachers, children’s program professionals, athletes, artists, influencerspersons of relevance or public notoriety who, due to their trajectory, are likely to constitute a model or example for minors”.
But this ban will not only extend to products high in sugar, but also to celebrities and influencers They will not be able to advertise any type of food aimed at children, even if they are healthy.
In addition to this novelty, as announced by Minister Alberto Garzón, the decree It will prohibit advertising aimed at children of sweets, ice cream and other products rich in sugars and fats considered harmful by the WHO.
this ban It will affect advertising of caloric foods aimed at children under 16 years of age on television, the media in general and social networks. Thus, a schedule of reinforced protection will be implemented on television in which advertising aimed at children will be radically prohibited.
In addition, these products cannot be advertised. “neither before, nor during, nor after programs aimed at children, on channels directly aimed at that audience, on social networks, websites and apps, andn printed media aimed at children under 16 or in general media with sections aimed at this audience”. It will also not be allowed in movie theaters classified for children under 16.
Among the products that cannot be advertised under these conditions will be chocolate and sugar confectionery, energy bars, sweet toppings, desserts, cakes, cookies, pastries, juices and energy drinks, and ice cream.
The body in charge of the sanctioning regime will be the National Market and Competition Commission. According to data offered by the minister, in In Spain, there is an overweight and obesity rate of over 40% in children between seven and nine years old “due to the consumption of foods high in salts, sugars and fats”something that has been described as “a serious public health problem”.
The decree It will not enter into force until the end of the year. since after its departure for a public hearing this Monday, the TRIS procedure will be sent to Brussels. After that, it must go through the opinion of the Council of State and finally to the Council of Ministers.
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