Credit: Madalyn Cox via Unsplash. https://unsplash.com/@madalyncox
South Australia, first banning advertising of ham sandwiches on public transport, has also declared soy milk and rice cakes off limits, according to the advertising industry.
The state’s new rules on advertising of junk food on public buses, trains and trams, in a bid to tackle obesity, come into effect today.
The Australian Association of National Advertisers (AANA) says the state government has banned the advertising of most fortified soy milk and rice cakes, apparently because they are considered junk food.
“We fully support measures that encourage healthier choices, but the implementation of these policies must be based on credible, evidence-based criteria,” said AANA CEO Josh Faulks.
“The government has not been able to clearly articulate what is in and what is out of their banned list and has told businesses to submit their ads to an expert panel for assessment if they are unsure. This list should be science-based, objective and create certainty for business, not create more confusion.
“The policy sends a contradictory message to consumers and undermines trust in health-based initiatives. The government is effectively discouraging people from consuming what are widely considered to be nutritious core foods.”
The AANA is urging the state government to adopt the Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) Nutrient Profiling Scoring Criteria to improve clarity, consistency, and alignment with national nutrition policies.
The AANA also pointed out the serious unintended consequences for local businesses, farmers and advertisers in South Australia.
“The oat and almond farmers in South Australia may be surprised to know that their government wants people to drink less oat and almond milk. The official policy objective is to drive down purchase and consumption of these products,” Faulks said.
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