Wall of Shame
Why do food companies use their best ideas to market the foods that are the worst for kids? They say they care about children’s health, yet they spend billions on campaigns like these. If you have examples of food campaigns that companies should abandon in favor of healthier products, send them to gehlert@bmsg.org.
Sugar: the first ingredient in popular kids’ cereal Apple Jacks
In spite of being loaded with sugar, the Children’s Food and Beverage Advertising Initiative have deemed Apple Jacks a healthy product.
Disney uses loophole to market candy to kids during holidays
Public health groups have lauded Disney for discouraging the use of its characters to market junk food to kids. But the company has made an exception for candy marketed during Halloween, Valentine’s Day, Easter or other “special occasions.” Since 25 percent of candy sales happen during these holidays and Christmas, Disney can do better. The Center for Science in the Public Interest has called on Disney’s CEO to close the loophole.
Food giants use Madagascar 3 movie characters to target kids
A wide range of promotional tie-ins to the DreamWorks movie Madagascar 3 are being used to sell junk foods to kids. Examples include Airheads candy, McDonald’s Happy Meals and Lance cookies and crackers. The Center for Science in the Public Interest has urged Lance and DreamWorks to set nutrition standards for the companies’ marketing of food to children.
Girl Scout-themed Crunch candy bars violate Nestle pledge
Nestle claims it doesn’t market candy to children, but health advocates say a new line of Girl Scout-themed Crunch candy bars violates the company’s pledge. The limited-edition candy bars bear the familiar Girl Scouts logo and evoke three popular Girl Scout Cookie flavors. A key difference between the candy bars and cookies is that the new candy bars have more calories, more saturated fat, and more sugars, according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI). CSPI and fellow Food Marketing Workgroup member Berkeley Media Studies Group have urged [pdf] the company to stop marketing unhealthy foods featuring the Girl Scout’s name and logo and refrain from similar marketing approaches in the future.
Lunchables uses ‘corporate social responsibility’ campaign to peddle junk
Check out this outrageous “corporate social responsibility” program. Lunchables blankets the Burbank Boys & Girls Club with its logos and other marketing to kids.
A video highlighting the branded playground is available at https://vimeo.com/48544493.