WASHINGTON, D.C. – July 14, 2011 -- The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) filed comments with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) this week on industry-proposed voluntary principles regarding foods marketed to children and adolescents.
According to a Federal Trade Commission report to Congress, food and beverage companies spend more than $1.6 billion --17 percent of their marketing budget -- marketing their products to children and teens. Strong nutrition principles for marketing are critical to promote the consumption of health foods and beverages to these young consumers. ACS CAN strongly supports the proposed principles on food and beverage marketing to children and adolescents, which are consistent with American Cancer Society guidelines. In addition, ACS CAN supports strengthening the proposal to include calorie limits for all foods and beverages, the marketing of water to children and adolescents and prohibiting the marketing of fried foods and processed meats to children. ACS CAN further recommends the implementation of a brand marketing standard that requires more than half of sales of foods marketed to youth come from products that meet nutrition principles.
Being overweight increases the risk for cancer recurrence and decreases the likelihood of survival for many cancers. The prevalence of obesity in this country has more than doubled in the past 25 years, and obesity among school-age children and adolescents has tripled over the past three decades. Because overweight and obese children are more likely to be overweight or obese as adults, efforts to establish healthy body weight patterns should begin in childhood. ACS CAN is committed to promoting disease prevention, including good nutrition, for all Americans in all sectors of society.
A full copy of the comments can be viewed by clicking here.
ACS CAN is the nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate organization of the American Cancer Society, dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem. ACS CAN works to encourage lawmakers, candidates and government officials to support laws and policies that will make cancer a top national priority. ACS CAN gives ordinary people extraordinary power to fight cancer. For more information, visit www.fightcancer.org.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Christina Saull or Stephen Weiss
American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network
Phone: (202) 585-3250 or (202) 661-5711
Email: [email protected] or [email protected]