Soft drink companies in Europe are thinking about curbing their soda-pushing to children 12 and under, Reuters and BBC Health Online report.
The companies unveiled proposals to the European Union’s health commission to:
- End ads in all media targeted to kids 12 and under
- Ban vending machines in elementary schools, unless parents are foolish enough to request them
- Offer healthier drinks in secondary and “appropriate” container sizes
- Remove corporate logos from school vending machines
Talk about wishful thinking.
PepsiCo Europe executive Stephen Kehoe, described these plans as a "significant move by the industry,” when talking to the BBC and other reporters.
"This is the first time ever that the major beverage producers in Europe come together to jointly define their commitments related to responsible sales and marketing practices, especially to children and schools.”
What do these soda guys want, a prize?
They’re finally planning to stop pushing sugary, health-damaging drinks on young kids, and they congratulate themselves for doing it? It’s sort of like patting yourself on the back for not stealing from your boss.
Besides, Big Soda isn’t doing this out of the goodness of their hearts.
Rather it seems they’re being pressured. Indeed, Markos Kyprianou, EU’s commissioner of health and consumer protection, gave soda companies a nudge by warning that he might introduce legislation to force the beverage makers to change their marketing practices if they didn’t do something, according to Reuters. What’s more, Big Soda seems to have no qualms about marketing soda to children over 12, as if they don’t also suffer the ill effects of soda consumption.
Lastly, why won’t Big Soda take these same steps in the U.S.?
American children are suffering even higher rates of obesity and diabetes, but they don’t deserve the same kinds of protection from the onslaught of junk food advertising that European kids will get if these ideas are enacted?
Ridiculous.
– Jennifer Moore