Canada Plans Major Crackdown on Children-Focused Food Advertising

The Canadian government is set to introduce stringent regulations on food advertising targeted at children, according to a Dec. 21 briefing note from the Department of Health. Cabinet plans to release draft rules this spring that will significantly curb advertisements of certain food products on television and digital platforms, aiming to shield children from marketing practices that may negatively impact their dietary choices, as first covered by Blacklock’s Reporter. The billion-dollar ban reflects the government’s position that current self-regulation by the industry is inadequate in safeguarding children’s health. The prohibition, however, will not extend to other advertising mediums such as radio, billboards, movie theatres, and sponsorships of minor sports leagues by restaurant chains....