Policy addressing marketing online

With a growing amount of marketing dollars being pumped into digital venues such as social networks, online games, mobile phones, and virtual worlds, the food and beverage industry can now reach kids and teens in more ways and in more places than ever — often without parents knowing. Their techniques are often misleading, and their products are often unhealthy.

Given the United States’ childhood obesity epidemic, this threat to youth health and wellness is a cause for concern to health professionals, advocates, parents and policy makers. In October of 2011, consumer and privacy groups acted on that concern, filing a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission. The Center for Digital Democracy, Consumer Watchdog and The Praxis Project asked the FTC to investigate and bring an action against PepsiCo and its subsidiary Frito-Lay for unfair and deceptive digital marketing practices.

FTC complaint & appendices

Complaint and request for investigation of PepsiCo’s and Frito-Lay’s deceptive practices in marketing Doritos to adolescents [pdf]
Center for Digital Democracy, Consumer Action, Consumer Watchdog, The Praxis Project

FTC complaint appendices A-L [pdf]
Center for Digital Democracy, Consumer Action, Consumer Watchdog, The Praxis Project

Complaint to FTC against Gatorade for exaggerating its health benefits and encouraging dangerous behavior among teens [pdf]
Public Health Advocacy Institute, Berkeley Media Studies Group, California Center for Public Health Advocacy, Center for Science in the Public Interest, Public Health Institute, Yale Rudd Center for Food Policy & Obesity