Written question asked by Andrew George (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 21 November 2011, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 23 November 2011. It was answered by Anne Milton (Conservative) on Wednesday, 23 November 2011 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Nutrition: Children

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to reduce the exposure of children to marketing of unhealthy food and drink.

Answer: The United Kingdom already has an extensive system of controls on marketing of foods that are high in salt, fat or sugar to children. A recent review by Ofcom indicates that children's exposure to television advertising for these foods has fallen by 37% since the introduction of controls and that advertising of unhealthy foods has been eliminated during children's airtime.The Department will continue to keep this area under review, including through discussion in the Food Network of the Public Health Responsibility Deal in the coming year.

Secondary information