Children

Four Years Later, McDonald's Again Nixes Trans Fats

by Jonathan Rosenblum — January 30, 2007 - 2:45pm

Four years ago, McDonald's voluntarily announced that it would cut artery-clogging trans fats, the ingredient listed as "partially hydrogenated vegetable oil" that is used to cook french fries and many other products throughout the fast food industry.

Main Source: 
Associated Press, January 29, 2007

FCC's TV/Child Obesity Task Force Adds Members, Sets Valentine's Day Meeting

by Jonathan Rosenblum — January 24, 2007 - 10:25am

The Federal Communications Commission has added junk food marketing critic Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA), the Benton Foundation (an FCC watchdog), and several academic groups to a list of mostly industry advocates on an FCC task force slated to consider limits on marketing food and beverage products to children. Sen.

Main Source: 
TV Week, January 23, 2007

U.K. Food Labeling Scuffle Hits Screen

by Jonathan Rosenblum — January 22, 2007 - 3:42pm

Multinational food marketing giants, including Unilever, Coca-Cola, Kellogg and Danone have helped fund an $8 million industry ad campaign to sway consumers to "know what's going inside you"--but not necessarily to do anything about it.

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Wall Street Journal, January 18, 2007

Food Marketing-Fueled School Channel "Going, Going Gone"?

by Jonathan Rosenblum — December 26, 2006 - 12:52pm

Channel One, the controversial advertising-funded TV network that reaches 7 million secondary schools, faces declining revenue and its owner, Primedia, is looking to sell.

Main Source: 
Advertising Age (sub req'd), December 14, 2006

Sen. Harkin Hearkens: Junk Food Marketing "Out of Control"

by Jonathan Rosenblum — December 20, 2006 - 11:00am

The new Congress is likely to put new and stronger emphasis on limiting junk food marketing, say aides to U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa. Harkin becomes chair of the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee in 2007. His aides report that food marketing to children "will be one of our top tier agenda items." In recent years, Harkin futilely has sought to push through legislation toughening Federal Trade Commission authority to regulate junk food marketing.

Main Source: 
San Francisco Chronicle, December 20, 2006

Doctors Seek Ban on Junk Food Ads

by Sheldon Rampton — December 7, 2006 - 1:08pm

The American Academy of Pediatrics has become the latest organisation to call for a ban on the advertising of junk food during children's television programs.

Main Source: 
Sydney Morning Herald (Australia), December 7, 2006

New York City Becomes First Big City to Ban Trans Fats

by Jonathan Rosenblum — December 6, 2006 - 8:13am

Bucking intense restaurant industry opposition, New York City has banned all added trans fats in restaurant food. The ban was passed by the city's Board of Health on December 6, 2006, and takes effect in July 2007. Donut makers get a one-year reprieve in order to find a substitute oil for the deep-fried dough. The board's action also included a requirement that restaurant chains post nutritional information.

Main Source: 
Alternet, December 6, 2006

It's Flacks v. Flacks Over Junk Food Marketing "Reform"

by Jonathan Rosenblum — December 5, 2006 - 2:59pm

"This was spin, and [the food industry] will have to get beyond that and make real changes or they'll get beat up again very soon." Perhaps a line from a nutritionist slamming the Better Business Bureaus' weak new voluntary restrictions on junk food marketing to kids? Instead, it's the president of MGP & Associates Public Relations, Mike Paul.

Main Source: 
Advertising Age, November 20, 2006

Sugary Deals Tempt Health Care Charities

by Jonathan Rosenblum — December 4, 2006 - 4:51pm

Public health charities are under intense pressure from potential or ongoing commercial sponsors to boost their budgets with product promotion schemes. For example, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) currently has a $1.5 million sponsorship deal with Cadbury Schweppes, maker of Dr. Pepper and the Cadbury Creme egg.

Main Source: 
The New York Times, November 25, 2006

Fast Food Nation Interview: Eric Schlosser On Obesity, Kids, and Fast Food PR

by Jonathan Rosenblum — November 17, 2006 - 5:08pm
  • Topics: Crisis Management, Obesity, Front Groups, Children, Health, Public Relations

    • When PR Watch most recently caught a cell phone signal from Eric Schlosser, author of Fast Food Nation and the new Chew on This: Everything You Don't Want to Know About Fast Food, Schlosser was rushing from car to car in New York City, after London, which was just after Berkeley, where he was giving students a preview of the indie film version of "Fast

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