Children's junk food ads made for adults

Companies advertising junk food are claiming their ads were targeting adults not children.

Industry ad watchdog dismissed complaints about ads for Oreo, Smarties and LCMs rice bars after accepting manufacturers' claims that their ads were aimed at adults, despite the presence of children in the ads.

Ads for chips, sweets or fizzy drinks are covered by industry guidelines only if their content is ‘directed primarily at children’.

Health campaigners said the rulings by the Board of the Advertising Standards Bureau have made it uncertain what constitutes an ad for children.

Legal adviser, said the lack of definition in the rules had allowed a loophole for advertisers to emerge.

What do you think about advertisers claiming the ads are for adults and not children? Read full article.

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