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Nutritional warnings: a sham

Nutritional messages carried by food ads will not have a sufficient impact. More energetic measures are required to combat obesity.

The French public health law of 2005 and a decree of 27 February 2007 make it mandatory for processed food and drink ads to carry a health warning, along the lines of: "avoid snacking between meals for the sake of your health", etc. (4 different messages). Advertisers who choose not to include these messages must pay a tax corresponding to 1.5% of the cost of the ad to the French Health Education and Prevention Institute.

The July issue of la revue Prescrire reports that a survey carried out by the UFC-Que Choisir revealed that parents barely registered these messages, and children even less. And when they do register the message, two thirds of parents and children think that it means that the food product advertised is of nutritional value…

Another survey carried out by the UFC-Que Choisir showed that 89% of food ads aimed at children were for products that have no nutritional value and often full of fats and sugar. It confirmed the role of advertising in the shaping of families’ eating patterns.

In la revue’s opinion, the French measures are inadequate. It would be more effective to follow the example of the UK where food advertising on TV must not be broadcast at the same time as children’s programmes. The prevention of obesity, which is becoming an issue of major concern in France, requires a massive reduction, even a total ban on advertising processed food products.

©La revue Prescrire

Prescrire Rédaction “Mises en garde nutritionnelles : faux-semblants” Rev Prescrire 2007 ; 27 (285) : 535-536.