Monday 2 May 2022

Australian parents want action on unhealthy food marketing, not just promises

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Media contact:
Evie Dartnell 0401 596 797  evie@parentsvoice.org.au

About Parents’ Voice

Parents’ Voice was formed in 2004 and has since grown into a movement of more than 8,000 parents from across Australia who advocate for improved food and physical activity environments for Australian children. Parents’ Voice is supported by Diabetes Victoria and VicHealth.

Thursday 16 December 2021

Defending the indefensible

Brands respond to their 2021 Shame Award wins

Some of the shame category winners from this year’s Parents’ Voice Fame & Shame Awards have not taken the news of their win quite as hoped, choosing to defend their advertising practices, which were voted by parents to be among the worst ads and sponsorships targeting Australian kids in 2021.

Every year, Parents’ Voice distributes letters informing the shame award winners of their “victory” and asking them to put kids’ health first and to cease targeting any future advertising campaigns at Australian children and adolescents.

Parents’ Voice Steering Committee Chair, Ms Kristie Cocotis, said: “We advise the winners – including the Australian Olympic Committee – of their award and explain why parents objected to their practices. Our thinking is they might use this feedback from parents to change their approach in the future.”

In their response, the Australian Olympic Committee appear to turn a blind eye to this consumer feedback, claiming that the “… support of all our sponsors contributes to the AOC’s efforts to send Teams to Games and inspiring generations of Australian children to pursue active and healthy lifestyles.”

We argue that they are sending mixed messages to Australian children. Instead of agreeing to take money from Cadbury and Coca-Cola to achieve these goals, they should be promoting a whole-of-health approach by partnering with brands that inspire kids to eat well and be active.

Another winner’s claims were equally bewildering – claiming that school-related displays in supermarkets were directed to primarily adult audiences. Clearly, they did not understand the concept of the bother board award.

“Defending the indefensible is not the outcome our parents were hoping to see from these brands,” Ms Cocotis said. “They want to see real change. They want brands to take responsibility and stop targeting young Australians immediately. These responses only strengthen the argument that self-regulation doesn’t work.”

A copy of the response letter from the Australian Olympic Committee is available here.

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Media contacts:
Evie Dartnell 0401 596 797  evie@parentsvoice.org.au
Annette Glenister 0400 772 722  aglenister@diabetesvic.org.au

About Parents’ Voice

Parents’ Voice is an online movement of parents who are interested in improving the food and activity environments of Australian children. Formerly known as The Parents’ Jury, Parents’ Voice was formed in 2004 and represents thousands of Australian parents, carers and health professionals. Parents’ Voice is supported by Diabetes Victoria and VicHealth.

About Fame & Shame

The Parents’ Voice Fame & Shame Awards aim to raise awareness of the persuasive and misleading techniques that advertisers use to promote unhealthy foods and drinks to children, and to recognise the campaigns that promote healthy food and physical activity to children in a fun and appealing way.

Since 2005, the awards have given Australian parents the chance to have their say about the food marketing techniques they believe are targeting their children. Parents’ Voice members nominate examples of the best and worst food marketing campaigns throughout the year. Parents then vote on the shortlisted ads to determine the winners.

Tuesday 23 November 2021

Sport shamed for targeting kids with unhealthy food marketing

Fame & Shame Awards 2021

Media opportunity: 11am on Tuesday 23 November 2021
Lincoln Square, Bouverie St, Carlton VIC 3053

Australian parents have taken a stand and are demanding that unhealthy food manufacturers distance themselves from advertising to children as part of the Parent’s Voice Fame & Shame Awards. Now in its 17th year, the annual awards highlight the worst of unhealthy food marketing and celebrate those promoting a healthier lifestyle to kids instead.

This year, a record number of nominations were received for the Fame & Shame Awards. Almost 100 advertisements were nominated over the year, with the Foul Sport shame award category attracting almost a third of all nominations. This is problematic in another year of disruption due to COVID-19, which meant more children were watching their favourite sports on TV instead of playing them.

Alice Pryor, Parents’ Voice Manager said: “Kids are inspired by the feats of their sporting champions, but this year saw an increasing number of major sporting events plastered with unhealthy food and drink marketing. None more so than the 2020 Tokyo Olympics after the Australian Olympic Committee agreed to take money from Cadbury and Coca-Cola. This decision earned the votes of Australian parents, resulting in the Australian Olympic Committee winning this year’s Foul Sport shame award.”

“Unfortunately, the Foul Sport category was hotly contested with both silver and bronze taken out by McDonald’s Australia,” Ms Pryor continued. “Parents are sick and tired of processed food companies using the health halo of sport to promote their unhealthy products to kids. Government need to step in and set a higher standard for the advertising that is allowed during live sports broadcasts.”

Not all sporting codes push unhealthy food at children, with a great range of advertisements nominated for the Parents’ Choice – Physical Activity fame award, which is given to the campaign that most encourages children to have fun while being active. This year’s best and fairest was awarded by parents to Rebel Sport for their Dreams Start Here campaign.

Sarah Dwyer, parent of four, commented: “This ad highlights all the things we want kids to be thinking about when watching professional sport. That everyone starts at the beginning, that sport is inspiring and fun and full of ups and downs. I wish more of the ads shown during sports broadcasts inspired kids to eat well and be active.”

An honourable mention was also awarded to soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo for starting a movement of professional sports people removing unhealthy products from media conferences. Ronaldo’s actions not only wiped A$5.2 billion from Coca-Cola’s market value, it inspired other athletes with Australia’s own David Warner taking up the baton.

This year, every award category had digital nominees, highlighting the pervasive problem of digital advertising to children. The worst of the worst is awarded the Digital Ninja shame award, with KFC dancing into top spot with their cricket themed TikTok #Buckethead Challenge.

Jane Martin, Executive Manager, Obesity Policy Coalition said: “This is the perfect example of why we need government to set higher standards to protect kids online from the powerful influence of unhealthy food marketing which is wallpaper in their lives. The processed food industry is targeting our kids with marketing dressed up as entertainment, using sneaky tactics to not only engage and influence them in the short term, but keep them as consumers for life.”
Kellogg’s continued their ‘winning’ streak, taking out a hattrick with their third consecutive win in the Smoke and Mirrors shame category. The ad claims that their Oaty Puffs LCM Bars are the ‘snack you don’t have to hide’, but with almost 20 per cent sugar, this is not a suitable snack for children.

McDonald’s beat out stiff competition from Kellogg’s to take out the Pester Power shame award. In another example of digital marketing being used to combine unhealthy food and sport, the McDonald’s ‘winning’ campaign encourages children buy a Happy Meal and sign up for the mymacca’s app to win a Space Jam themed Xbox prize.

Ms Pryor added: “Once again processed food companies are using digital means to target kids. The McDonald’s mymaccas application also featured in our recent complaint to Ad Standards. We are also concerned by the collection of children’s private data, via the mymacca’s app registration, as part of this style of promotion.”

The Bother Boards category, awarded to the brand which has used advertising boards to influence children, was awarded to Ferrero for parking their child sized Nutella school bus in supermarkets.

It’s not all bad news, in addition to the Parents’ Choice – Physical Activity fame award, parents gave two gold medals in the Parents’ Choice – Food fame award category. Hort Innovation was awarded for the clever Australian Avocados Olympic-not-Olympic ad, ‘Our Green Gold’ and parents were equally impressed by Woolworths ‘Today’s Fresh Food People’ ad, which sparked conversations in lounge rooms around Australia about healthy green food.

Ms Pryor concluded: “The link between unhealthy food marketing to children and 1 in 4 Australian children being above a healthy weight is clear. When even a pandemic is unable to stop unhealthy food marketing invading our homes and lives, it’s past time for the Government to step up and set higher regulatory standards for the packaging and marketing of food products to protect Aussie kids.”

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Media contacts:
Alice Pryor 0416 219 261 alice@parentsvoice.org.au
Evie Dartnell 0401 596 797 evie@parentsvoice.org.au
Shannon Crane 0432 157 720 scrane@vichealth.vic.gov.au (For interview requests for Dr Sandro Demaio)

Media Opportunity:
11am on Tuesday 23 November 2021 at Lincoln Square, Bouverie Street, CARLTON VIC 3053
Journalists will have the opportunity to interview attending experts and parents with their children including:

Alice Pryor: Manager, Parents’ Voice
Jane Martin: Executive Manager, Obesity Policy Coalition
Byron de Kock: Avocados Ambassador, Hort Innovation (Parents’ Choice – Food fame winner)
Phillip Grillo: State Retail Lead, Rebel Sport (Parents’ Choice – Physical Activity fame winner)
Nicole French: Parent and Exercise Physiologist
Asherly Bradac: Parent and child

Dr Sandro Demaio: CEO, VicHealth (will be available offsite for interview)

About Parents’ Voice

Parents’ Voice is an online movement of parents who are interested in improving the food and activity environments of Australian children. Formerly known as The Parents’ Jury, Parents’ Voice was formed in 2004 and represents thousands of Australian parents, carers and health professionals. Parents’ Voice is supported by Diabetes Victoria and VicHealth.

About Fame & Shame

The Parents’ Voice Fame & Shame Awards aim to raise awareness of the persuasive and misleading techniques that advertisers use to promote unhealthy foods and drinks to children, and to recognise the campaigns that promote healthy food and physical activity to children in a fun and appealing way.

Since 2005, the awards have given Australian parents the chance to have their say about the food marketing techniques they believe are targeting their children. Parents’ Voice members nominate examples of the best and worst food marketing campaigns throughout the year. Parents then vote on the shortlisted ads to determine the winner.

Wednesday 20 October 2021

Parents foul burger ad for targeting kids

Parents’ Voice have submitted a complaint to Ad Standards calling out McDonald’s Australia and Basketball Victoria for their offer of a free Big Mac promotion emailed directly to children after they signed up to play for their local basketball team.

Parents’ Voice Manager, Alice Pryor, states: “Parents are fed up with unhealthy food companies targeting their children. We are demanding that McDonald’s Australia and Basketball Victoria end this joint promotion immediately, as it is a blatant example of predatory advertising to children and it simply must stop.”

“After being contacted by the concerned parent whose child had received this marketing, we were compelled to advocate on their behalf. No child should be targeted by an unhealthy food company for simply registering to play in their local basketball competition. We are also concerned by the collection of children’s private data, via the mymacca’s app registration, as part of this promotion.”

The concerned parent, from Victoria, says: “I signed my 13-year-old up for a summer season of basketball with a local club. When the email arrived, I could not have been more horrified. Not just a McDonald’s burger offer, with no healthy option, but also a mandatory Macca’s smartphone app install is required. That also means registering for an account. Just shocking to see kids’ sport so compromised.”

Under the fast food industry’s code designed to reduce food marketing to children, companies must not give away food, that do not meet specific nutrition criteria, as awards or prizes to children under 14 years of age.

A Big Mac does not meet this nutritional criterion and won’t provide kids with the healthy energy required for playing sport, with each burger containing 2360kJ, 11.8g saturated fat and 1020mg of sodium. The average daily kilojoule requirement for a fully grown adult is approximately 8700kJ and teens are expected to require less, which means that one singular Big Mac would easily replace more than a quarter of a 13-year-olds total daily energy intake with discretionary foods.

Alice Pryor adds: “As well as submitting a complaint to Ad Standards, this ad has been entered into the Parents’ Voice annual Fame & Shame Awards. These awards are highlighting the worst of the worst in unhealthy food and drink advertising to children, and this promotion is only one of almost 100 ads nominated.”

Alice Pryor concludes: “The advertising codes in Australia are overseen by industry and are full of loopholes. Parents are encouraged to keep the pressure on the food and advertising industry by voting for the best and worst in food marketing to children in this year’s Fame & Shame Awards at http://bit.ly/FandS2021. Voting will close on 27 October.”

“On average, about one-third of Australian children’s diets come from discretionary foods, and this proportion increases with age. The Australian Government must put the health and wellbeing of Aussie kids above corporate profit by holding fast food and the advertising industry accountable through setting and enforcing higher advertising standards.”

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Media contacts:

Alice Pryor 0416 219 261 alice@parentsvoice.org.au

Evie Dartnell 0401 596 797 evie@parentsvoice.org.au

About Parents’ Voice

Parents’ Voice is an online network of parents who are interested in improving the food and activity environments of Australian children. Formerly known as The Parents’ Jury, Parents’ Voice was formed in 2004 and represents thousands of Australian parents, carers and health professionals. Parents’ Voice is supported by Diabetes Victoria and VicHealth.

About Fame & Shame

The Parents’ Voice Fame & Shame Awards aim to raise awareness of the persuasive and misleading techniques that advertisers use to promote unhealthy food and drinks to children, and to recognise the campaigns that promote healthy food to children in a fun and appealing way.

Voting is now open for the 2021 awards: http://bit.ly/FandS2021

Friday 30 July 2021

Time for sport to ditch the junk

Parents’ Voice joins a coalition of peak public health organisations and medical experts in uniting to call for the end of unhealthy food sponsorship of sport. Led by Cancer Council WA, WA health experts say junk food and sugary drink sponsorships have no place in sport.

Parents’ Voice Manager, Alice Pryor, states: “Parents are fed up with sugary drinks and unhealthy food marketing to kids via their sporting heroes. It’s past time for the Olympics, and all sport, to set a better example for kids and ditch the junk.”

“Watching the Olympics with your family is a vivid memory for most children, evoking feelings of unity and inclusion through sport. This is not an event that should ever be accompanied by ads and sponsorships for sugary drinks, fast food and chocolate.”

At the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Coca-Cola is an official partner of the Australian Olympic Team as well as a ‘Worldwide Olympic Partner’ and is featured everywhere, including in front of every athlete at their media conferences. The power of this marketing was shown earlier this year when Cristiano Ronaldo temporarily wiped $US4 billion off the market value of Coca-Cola by removing the bottle and endorsing water. Placing a product in front of athletes and suggesting they endorse it is powerful marketing.

With the Australian Olympic Team also sponsored by Cadbury and with McDonald’s as a broadcast partner, our Olympic coverage is saturated in unhealthy processed food and drink.

Hannah Phillips, parent of two, worries about how to protect her children from this predatory advertising: “I want to be able to enjoy these moments with my family, but we can’t sit through a single event without being bombarded by these unhealthy food and drink ads. It seems our only option is to not watch.”

“I’m concerned about the influence of this marketing on our children. Why do these companies get to market to children through their favourite athletes? I want sport to support healthy behaviours, not undermine families.”

Alice Pryor concludes: “If the Australian and International Olympic Committees are not going to take steps to remove these unhealthy sponsorships, then the Australian Government must step up. One in four Australian children are now above a healthy weight. Government must set a better standard and put the health and wellbeing of Aussie kids above corporate profit.”

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Media contacts:

Alice Pryor 0416 219 261 alice@parentsvoice.org.au
Evie Dartnell 0401 596 797 evie@parentsvoice.org.au

About Parents’ Voice

Parents’ Voice is an online network of parents who are interested in improving the food and activity environments of Australian children. Formerly known as The Parents’ Jury, Parents’ Voice was formed in 2004 and represents thousands of Australian parents, carers and health professionals. Parents’ Voice is supported by Diabetes Victoria and VicHealth.

To the Editor

Parents’ Voice is committed to ending weight stigma. Being overweight comes with a lot of health issues. Some of these are related to the stigma that is attached to being above a healthy weight. We urge you to use images that are respectful, inclusive, and non-stigmatising when reporting on issues related to body weight. For example, show people who are above a healthy weight participating in everyday activities that are not related to weight gain, and use images that include their faces.

Further information: Media Guide and Image Library

Thursday 18 March 2021

Gov urged to make walking, bike riding easier as more Victorians return to the workplace

A coalition of 13 walking, bike riding, transport, health and research groups are urging the Victorian Government to make it easier for people to walk and ride as more Victorians return to working onsite.

The coalition has released the Streets are for everyone consensus statement, which outlines three clear and practical steps needed to create vibrant, active and connected communities in a COVID-normal Victoria.

The statement found by walking or bike riding instead of driving by car an average Melbournian family could save up to $80 per day.

Royal Automobile Club of Victoria (RACV) Senior Manager Transport, Planning and Infrastructure, Peter Kartsidimas said that last year highlighted the different mobility options available for Victorians.

“Since the coronavirus pandemic began, we’ve seen an increase in the number of people riding their bikes, walking, jogging and scooting as a way of getting around, keeping active, and exploring and connecting with their local communities,” Peter said.

“Many Victorians have told us they want to ride and walk more, but they want to feel safe to do so. The Victorian Government must build communities where all Victorians have the option of walking or riding to work, the shops or other local destinations.”

In October, the Victorian Minister for Roads and Road Safety Ben Carroll announced $13 million for pop-up bike lanes to be installed in Melbourne’s inner suburbs to help more people safely travel into the CBD in the new COVID-normal environment.

Bicycle Network CEO Craig Richards said the pop-up bike lanes are a positive step and more to be done to make it easier for Victorians outside of Melbourne’s CBD to also walk and ride.

“We welcome the Victorian Government’s move to install 100km of new and improved bike routes in inner-Melbourne, it’s a great move. We urgently need more well-connected walking and bike riding paths in suburban Melbourne and regional Victoria,” Craig said.

“The pandemic highlighted the huge differences in walking and bike riding infrastructure based on where people live. People in areas with limited walking and bike riding options are left to rely on a car to get to work, school, the shops and other public services.”

Heart Foundation Victorian CEO Kellie-Ann Jolly said providing walking and bike riding options benefits kids and families everywhere.

“Walking and bike riding are core pillars of healthy, vibrant and liveable cities and neighbourhoods, boosting mental and physical health and fostering community connection,” Kellie-Ann said.

“There is very strong public support for upgrades to walking and bike riding infrastructure and the benefit-cost ratio for investing in walking and bike riding is extremely high compared to other transport projects. An investment of $500 million in walking and bike riding trips would return a value of $6.5 billion to the Victorian community.”

The 13 groups have outlined the following recommendations:

• Recognise walking and bike riding as an essential part of integrated transport planning
• Prioritise streets for people in residential areas, around schools and shopping strips
• Upgrade cities, regional centres and local neighbourhoods by improving footpaths, bike lanes, crossing opportunities and completing missing links.

Read the full consensus statement here

The Streets are for everyone: a consensus statement to support more walking and bike riding for Victorians was prepared with input from a working group which includes Amy Gillett Foundation, Bicycle Network, Cycling and Walking Australia and New Zealand, IPAN – Deakin University, Heart Foundation, Monash University – School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Municipal Association of Victoria, ORIMA research, Parents’ Voice, Royal Automobile Club of Victoria (RACV), VicHealth, Victoria Walks, We Ride Australia.

Key statistics:

• 3 in 4 Victorians said they want local and state governments to adapt infrastructure so more people can walk or ride (VicHealth, Aug 2020)
• More than 1 in 3 Victorians planned to travel more by foot or bike than they did pre-coronavirus, but safety is a barrier for many (VicHealth, Aug 2020)
• 8 in 10 want safer footpaths and facilities such as local shops or parks to be accessible by foot or bicycle (Heart Foundation, Nov 2020)
• More than 8-in-10 people support temporarily removing car parks to make way for pop-up bike lanes and wider footpaths around their local area (RACV poll, May 2020)
• 9 in 10 Australians support the installation of temporary bike lanes in their local area to increase safety for people riding bikes for transport (Amy Gillett Foundation poll, June 2020).

The following spokespeople are available for media interview:

• Amy Gillett Foundation – CEO, Dan Kneipp
• Bicycle Network – CEO, Craig Richards
• Deakin University – Associate Professor for the School of Exercise and Nutritional Science, Anna Timperio
• Heart Foundation Victoria – CEO, Kellie-Ann Jolly
• Monash University – Head Sustainable Mobility and Safety Research in the School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Dr Ben Beck
• Parents’ Voice – Manager, Alice Pryor
• Royal Automobile Club of Victoria (RACV) – Senior Manager Transport, Planning and Infrastructure, Peter Kartsidimas
• Victoria Walks – Executive Officer, Ben Rossiter
• WeRide Australia – Director National Advocacy, Stephen Hodge

 To arrange a media interview, please contact:

• Bicycle Network Media Adviser – Alexander Miller: alexanderm@bicyclenetwork.com.au 0425 858 428
• Parents’ Voice – Alice Pryor alice@parentsvoice.org.au  0416 219 261

Tuesday 8 December 2020

Fame & Shame Awards: Pandemic no barrier for unhealthy food marketing

Media opportunity: 9am on Tuesday 8 December 2020
VicHealth, 15-31 Pelham Street Carlton VIC 3053

Australian parents have taken a stand and are demanding that unhealthy food manufacturers distance themselves from advertising to children as part of the Parent’s Voice Fame & Shame Awards. Now in its 16^th year, the annual awards highlight the worst of unhealthy food marketing and celebrate those promoting a healthier lifestyle to kids instead.

In a clear example of the increasing amount of unhealthy food marketing targeting children, this year’s Fame & Shame Awards feature a new shame category: Ad-demic. The Ad-demic award is given to a campaign that parents believe have shamelessly utilised the COVID-19 pandemic to sell their products to Australian children.

While Victoria celebrates its double zero ‘doughnut days’, parents have called out this year’s Ad-demic winner and doughnut heavy weight, Krispy Kreme, for using social media ads that encourage children to ‘multitask’ by staying home, eating doughnuts and playing video games.

Alice Pryor, Parents’ Voice Manager said: “The COVID-19 pandemic is a time to be focussing on healthy behaviours, but companies continue to put profits ahead of children’s health. In a digital world, targeting children in a pandemic is not hard, but it should be. The Australian Government needs to act to protect our children.”

After a year spent largely at home, there’s been an increase in children using digital technology, but there’s also been a rise in the amount of unhealthy marketing targeted towards children on digital platforms.

VicHealth CEO, Dr Sandro Demaio, reflected on data from the organisation’s new ‘Under the Radar’ Report: “We found that an estimated 72 million data points, such as age, location and interests, will have been collected by companies on each and every child by the age of 13. This data can be sold to unhealthy marketers who can effectively target and attract your child.”

Not only has the amount of marketing to children increased, but it has become more nuanced with the introduction of new ‘kid-friendly’ platforms, such as Twitch and TikTok, and promotions by influencers which can make it hard for both kids and adults to identify marketing in disguise.

The Digital Ninja shame category highlights the most insidious examples of these kinds of innovative marketing techniques, with Coca-Cola’s use of Amazon’s Alexa device to order free personalised bottles of coke being voted the worst of the worst by Australian parents.

Ms Pryor added, “For the first time in the history of the Fame & Shame Awards, we have digital marketing examples in all categories except for Bother Boards.”

The Bother Boards category didn’t get off lightly though, with KFC’s bus billboards receiving a shaming for using low prices and catchy slogans to appeal to teens and tweens who see their ads as they take public transport to and from school.

Kelly Kennington, Obesity Prevention Manager at Cancer Council Western Australia, added: “There’s a huge amount of public support at the moment for the removal of unhealthy marketing on state owned assets, especially amongst parents. Parents can’t be with their kids every moment of every day. Instead, they need policy change to ensure that environments frequented by their kids, like bus stops, train stations and shopping centres are free from unhealthy advertisements.”

McDonald’s Australia has been awarded the Pester Power shame category in this year’s awards, for their television commercial, ‘Denise’, which was deemed by even the Advertising Standards Community Panel to have breached marketing to kids’ codes.

Jane Martin, Executive Manager of the Obesity Policy Coalition said: “We have industry setting their own rules on advertising to children, so it is no surprise they are not working. We need government to set higher standards with regulation to protect children from this pervasive and powerful marketing.”

McDonald’s Australia continued to be condemned, with parents giving them the Foul Sport shame award for their integrated AFL sponsorship program.

Ms Pryor said: “It’s not just television commercials parents need to worry about anymore. It’s sponsored content during the games, goal post wraps, free burgers for fans of the winning team and the co-opting of the post game kick to kick. Families just want to watch the game together, free from the bombardment of unhealthy marketing.”

Cereal offender Kellogg’s also received their ninth Smoke and Mirrors shaming for their LCMs ad, ‘Mum and Dad’s Sure-fire Lunchbox Hit’. The ad touts “awesomeness of puffed rice” but unsurprisingly fails to mention LCMs dismal Health Star Rating (0.5 to 2) and that some bars contain a whopping 35 per cent sugar – Aussie parents have voted, and they say that this product is a lunchbox no-go.

It was not all bad news at the Fame and Shame Awards with two ‘fame’ awards given to companies promoting healthy foods and active lifestyles to kids. The Parents’ Choice – Physical Activity award was presented to VicHealth for encouraging girls to get active wherever and whenever with their This Girl Can campaign.

Perfection Fresh, runner up in 2019, took out this year’s Parents’ Choice – Food category with their new Qukes campaign.

Rebecca Zosel, parent of three, said: “It’s worrying that only 6.3 per cent of Australian children consume the recommended serving of vegetables each day. It’s really important that healthy eating is visible, and that the healthy options are appealing for kids and that’s why I love the playfulness of the Qukes campaign. It shows kids that veggie snacks can be both fun and yummy.”

Ms Pryor concluded: “The link between unhealthy food marketing to children and 1 in 4 Australian children being above a healthy weight is clear. With even a pandemic unable to stop it, it’s past time for the Government to step up and set higher regulatory standards for the packaging and marketing of food products to protect Aussie kids.”

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Media contacts:

Alice Pryor 0416 219 261 alice@parentsvoice.org.au

Evie Dartnell 0401 596 797 evie@parentsvoice.org.au

Media Opportunity
9am on Tuesday 8 December 2020. VicHealth, 15-31 Pelham Street Carlton
Journalists will have the opportunity to interview attending experts and parents with their children including:

Alice Pryor                    Manager, Parents’ Voice
Kirstan Corben            Executive Manager Programs, VicHealth
Rebecca Zosel              Parent Representative

Dr Sandro Demaio       Chief Executive Officer, VicHealth (available on request)
Jane Martin                   Executive Manager, Obesity Policy Coalition (available on request)

Pre-recorded event & media clips https://shwca.se/FameShame2020

Tuesday 31 January 2017

Australian parents urge schools and shops to go ‘nude’

Parent advocacy group, Parents’ Voice is calling on Australian supermarkets and schools to support efforts to improve children’s lunchboxes. Among more traditional methods, nude food days are growing in popularity with Australian families.

Nude food days are usually held by participating schools once or twice a week, encouraging lunchboxes to be free of disposable packaging. This results in lunches that are more environmentally friendly, and have less junk food.

Parents’ Voice Campaigns Manager: Alice Pryor, says “Our parents are very supportive of nude food days at schools. They reduce requests for junk food in lunchboxes, while still allowing for the occasional treat. They are a simple way to encourage more wholefoods, vegetables and fruits.”

“Parents are also calling for supermarkets to get on board. Most of the advertised back to school specials are kilojoule dense, nutrient poor packaged foods. It is just another hurdle for parents to overcome with when choosing foods for their kids’ lunchboxes.”

CEO of Nutrition Australia Vic Division: Lucinda Hancock, agrees that nude food days are part of the mix of tools that schools can use to encourage healthier food in lunchboxes.

“Only 5% of Australian children eat enough fruit and vegetables each day; yet nearly 40% of the energy they consume comes from ‘junk foods’ like – cakes, biscuits, lollies, fried foods and sugary drinks.”

“Packing a ‘nude’ food lunchbox is a great way to include more nutritious, minimally-processed foods that will fuel your child’s mind and body.”

Mrs Hancock said, “The key to packing a nutritious and ‘nude’ lunchbox that children will love is to include something from each food group: fruit; vegetables; grains or wholegrain foods; a protein food such as lean meat, fish, eggs or legumes; a dairy food, such as milk yoghurt or cheese; plus a bottle of water.”

“It’s also important to make sure your child’s food is stored safely and kept cool during the day! There are a number of great lunchboxes with compartments and reusable containers to safely store each individual item in the lunchbox,” Mrs Hancock said.

Lia Burton thinks everyday should be a nude food day. “As a mum of three, packing a nutritious lunchbox is something that is very close to my heart. I always aim to pack a nutritious lunchbox that is filled with healthy, yummy food and isn’t full of packaging. That way, I’m more confident my children will actually eat their lunch and the wrappers will not end up strewn across the playground.”

“Nude food days are a positive way to encourage parents to take a moment and consider the type of food that they usually pack in their child’s lunchbox. It’s a great way to get children to try new foods, especially when the whole class is participating.”

Ms Pryor concluded “1 in 4 Australian children are overweight or obese. What children eat at school is a large potion of their daily diet. Healthy lunchboxes give them a good start to healthy habits.”

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Media contacts:

Luke Daley 0433 396 064 luke@parentsvoice.org.au

Alice Pryor 0416 219 261 alice@parentsvoice.org.au

Note to editors:

Parents’ Voice is an online network of parents who are interested in improving the food and activity environments of Australian children. Formerly known as The Parents’ Jury, Parents’ Voice was formed in 2004 and represents thousands of Australian parents. Parents’ Voice is supported by Cancer Council Australia, Diabetes Victoria, VicHealth, YMCA Australia and the Bluearth Foundation.

Date: 13 April 2016

Sugar Rush – Popular breakfast products not a good start to the day!

Many Australian children are starting the day with breakfast products that contain too much salt and sugar, adding plenty of kilojoules, but little nutritional value to their daily food intake.

A range of popular breakfast products examined by nutritionist Dr Rosemary Stanton and advocacy group Parents’ Voice have failed the Food Detectives’ test, with the majority exceeding recommended guidelines for added salt and sugar.

Dr Stanton looked at a range of breakfast products in three categories: drinks, biscuits and cereal. Marketed as fast and convenient options, breakfast drinks and breakfast biscuits represent a growing segment of the market, aimed at people who want to eat ‘on the go’.

Dr Stanton examined two breakfast drinks: Sanitarium Up & Go and My Yummy Lunchbox Breakfast Shake. My Yummy Lunchbox Breakfast Shake’s label promotes itself as “I’m Super Cool” and claims it contains “ancient grains” and vitamins. The quantities of ‘ancient’ grains are insignificant and no quantities of vitamins and minerals are listed.

Dr Stanton highlighted the poor nutritional value of breakfast drinks: “These drinks are dominated by added sugars and are not the way to establish healthy breakfast habits for children. They may give the impression they are nutritious but really, these products are no better than sweetened flavoured milk.”

Popular brands of breakfast biscuits fared no better under the Food Detectives’ microscope. Red Tractor Brekky Bikks, Kellogg’s Nutri-Grain Bars and My Yummy Lunchbox Breakfast Biscuits were all judged by Dr Stanton to be unsuitable breakfast options: “They are basically biscuits and not a satisfactory choice for a child’s breakfast. They are certainly not an appropriate substitute for a bowl of healthy cereal with milk and fruit.”

Parents also have to look beyond the marketing claims when choosing breakfast cereal. Food Detectives focused on Kellogg’s Rice Bubbles, Kellogg’s Nutri-Grain and Sanitarium Weet-Bix for Kids. Dr Stanton said: “Although preferable to the breakfast biscuit option because they are mostly consumed with milk, two of the cereals contained high amounts of sugar and were poor sources of dietary fibre. At least the Sanitarium Weet-Bix for Kids scored highly.

Despite a recent reformulation of Nutri-Grain, which has reduced the sugar and salt content, parents need to check nutritional content labels, as the product still contains 26.7 grams of sugar per 100 grams: “I doubt parents would allow children to add so much sugar to their breakfast, so it’s unfortunate to see over a quarter of Nutri-Grain is added sugar! I would not recommend it as part of a healthy breakfast for children,” added Dr Stanton.

Alice Pryor, Campaigns Manager for Parents’ Voice, is concerned that many popular breakfast products actually have little nutritional value: “Parents who want to give their children the best start for the day can choose from an increasing variety of products that claim to be a convenient and healthy breakfast. Retailers clearly understand the importance of ‘health claims’ on their products. Before its most recent reformulation, Nutri-Grain did not display a Health Star Rating on its box.

Ms Pryor added: “While tools such as Health Star Ratings can be useful, parents need to get into the habit of checking individual labels and aim for breakfast products with less sugar and salt and more dietary fibre. A healthy cereal served with milk, or for those times when you are in a great hurry, a piece of fruit and glass of milk would be a better option than products that are little better than biscuits or sugary drinks.”

-Ends- 

Media contact: Alice Pryor        0416 219 261 alice@parentsvoice.org.au

Angela Mallon   0404 570 525 angela@parentsvoice.org.au

Notes to Editor

Parents’ Voice is an online network of parents who are interested in improving the food and activity environments of Australian children. Formerly known as The Parents’ Jury, Parents’ Voice was formed in 2004 and represents thousands of Australian parents. Parents’ Voice is supported by Cancer Council Australia, Diabetes Victoria, VicHealth, YMCA Australia and the Bluearth Foundation.

Date: 17 March 2016

Parents support Jamie Oliver’s call for Australia to get on board with sugary drink tax

Children’s advocacy group, Parents’ Voice, applauds the UK government’s decision on Wednesday to levy a tax on sugar sweetened drinks, planned to kick off in 2018.

Calling for a similar levy to be introduced in Australia, Parents’ Voice Campaigns Manager Alice Pryor echoed celebrity chef Jamie Oliver’s call for countries like Australia to “pull your finger out” and apply the tax in Australia also.

Australia is currently in the top ten countries for per capita consumption of soft drinks with 47% of children consuming sugar sweetened beverages (including energy drinks) every day.[1] Evidence from countries like Mexico, which has an existing levy on sugary drinks, suggests that a well-designed sugary drinks tax is likely to reduce consumption levels across the population.

Ms Pryor congratulated the UK government for taking this step forward for the health of their nation: “Regular consumption of sugar sweetened beverages is linked to obesity which in turn increases the risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and some cancers. It’s shocking that almost half of Australian children consume sugar sweetened beverages every day. Australia needs to act to ensure the health of our future generations.”

Ms Pryor added: “Taxes such as the one proposed by the UK are likely to have the additional benefit of promoting reformulation of these types of drinks by the beverages industry. The public health consensus is that introducing a sugary drinks tax in Australia would be an important piece of a comprehensive obesity prevention and education strategy, with benefits for the long-term health of our children.”

-Ends-

Media contact:

Angela Mallon          0404 570 525 angela@parentsvoice.org.au

Alice Pryor                0416 219 261 alice@parentsvoice.org.au

Notes to Editor

• Parents’ Voice is an online network of parents who are interested in improving the food and activity environments of Australian children. Formerly known as The Parents’ Jury, Parents’ Voice was formed in 2004 and represents thousands of Australian parents. Parents’ Voice is supported by Cancer Council Australia, Diabetes Victoria, VicHealth, YMCA Australia and the Bluearth Foundation.

• Britain’s sugary drinks levy will begin in 2018 and drinks with more than 8 grams of sugar per 100 millilitres will be taxed at a higher rate than drinks with less than 5 grams of sugar per 100 millilitres.

• Alice Pryor, Campaigns Manager of Parents Voice and mother to two young children, is available for interview/picture opportunities.

[1] Mortensen A. The role of beverages in the diet of Australian children. Analysis and summary report commissioned by the Australian Beverages Council. Australia, 2010: 1–15

 Tuesday 8 December 2015

Not so happy: McDonald’s not lovin’ Fame and Shame Awards

Fame and Shame Awards: 10.30 am Tuesday 8 December at State Library Victoria, 328 Swanston St, Melbourne VIC 3000

Maintaining their 10 year ‘winning’ streak, McDonald’s Australia took out three ‘Shame’ awards in this year’s Parents’ Voice Fame and Shame Awards. They crowned their efforts by winning a special “Worst of the Decade” award, for the company most often nominated for marketing junk food to kids over the last 10 years.

Also a clear winner in the Digital Ninja and Pester Power Awards, parents believe that McDonald’s Australia is continuing to develop marketing techniques that target children. McDonald’s Happy Reader promotion offered kids a selection of free books and digital readers with the purchase of a McDonald’s Happy Meal. Parents are particularly concerned that to collect all 10 books and 16 digital readers, children would have needed to consume 23 Happy Meals in an eight week period!

Traditional TV advertising where the ‘Happy Meal’ character played a starring role in a clip from the Minions movie saw McDonald’s pick up the Pester Power Award.

Alice Pryor, Campaigns Manager for Parents’ Voice, believes that parents are frustrated with the lack of change in the way junk food companies target children, “It’s very disappointing that so little progress has been made in the last decade. In fact, many parents fear that it’s worse than ever as junk food companies now use digital and social media to direct their junk food products to children. There is virtually no regulation around advertising using social media, so companies are developing games, apps, or Facebook sites using junk food products as the ‘hero’ character and designing them to appeal to kids and teenagers.

“Protecting children from being bombarded by junk food marketing is no longer achieved by simply turning off the TV! Parents need to be constantly vigilant about a digital world that surrounds kids, is mobile and is the perfect tool for promoting junk food products.”

Parents also have to be careful about ‘health claims’ that are used to market unhealthy food. Coca-Cola Amatil launched Coke Life in 2015 amid a flurry of healthier option claims that did not fool parents who voted it winner of the Smoke and Mirrors category.

Mother of two, Cheryl McLeod, from Melbourne, is annoyed that unhealthy products are marketed using language that suggests they are healthier than they are, “I voted for Coke Life, because it is promoted as a healthier option. You have to look past the green coloured packaging and study the label to realise that there are 10 teaspoons of sugar in a 600ml bottle!”

Sport is another favourite target of the junk food industry. KFC’s sponsorship of the Big Bash League got parents’ vote for the Foul Sport Award. Up against stiff competition from McDonald’s sponsorship of junior sport and a Gatorade commercial featuring Gary Ablett, KFC was judged to be the worst for sending a misleading message to children that consuming unhealthy products is consistent with a sporting career and healthy lifestyle.

In good news for the ABC, two of its programs went head to head for the inaugural Media Spotlight Award, for programs highlighting inappropriate marketing claims to children. Finishing in front by a whisker was Charlie Pickering’s The Weekly, which featured a comprehensive look at the state of junk food advertising and regulation in Australia and its relationship to childhood obesity. Gruen was a commendable second for its November 4 segment which framed the issue of marketing to kids, highlighting pester power and the use of children’s TV characters.

Nutrition Australia and Produce Marketing Association (ANZ) was commended in the Parents’ Choice Award for their fun Pick Right. Feel Bright! campaign which features The Wiggles as ambassadors and  encourages families to choose fresh fruit and vegetables over processed foods, to increase healthy eating and improve health.

Presenting the Awards, Dr Alessandro Demaio, Co-Founder of global social change movement, NCDFREE and festival21, said, “The leading causes of global deaths are Non-Communicable Diseases including type 2 diabetes, cancers and heart disease. An unhealthy diet is a leading risk factor for disease and when one in four Australian children is overweight or obese, these examples of junk food marketing to kids are frankly appalling. ‘Big Food’ companies are not interested in our children’s health, they are interested in getting us to consume more of their products and increase profits by whatever means necessary. It’s essential that we all understand the facts, and see through their smoke and mirror tactics to deter public focus on regulation.”

Ms Pryor added. “It’s sad that 10 years on we still need the Fame and Shame Awards, but two ‘Fame’ awards this year is a positive step. It is encouraging to see more debate about the wider concerns of junk food marketing to children and its association with a rise in the consumption of unhealthy food. More information and media coverage of the issues help to equip parents with the facts, see beyond the hype, and call for better regulatory guidelines and protection for children.”
-Ends-

Media contact:

Angela Mallon           0404 570 525 angela@parentsvoice.org.au

Alice Pryor                 0416 219 261 alice@parentsvoice.org.au

Notes to Editor

Fame and Shame Awards: 10.30 am Tuesday 8 December at State Library Victoria, 328 Swanston St, Melbourne VIC 3000

Parents’ Voice is an online network of parents who are interested in improving the food and activity environments of Australian children. Formerly known as The Parents’ Jury, Parents’ Voice was formed in 2004 and represents thousands of Australian parents. Parents’ Voice is supported by Cancer Council Australia, Diabetes Victoria, VicHealth, YMCA Australia and the Bluearth Foundation.

List of award nominees and winners

Nominees and winners ads and segments are linked to dropbox, where available. 

Digital Ninja

Happy Readers – McDonald’s Australia

Fandangles – Peter’s Ice Cream

Whizz Fizz – Fyna Foods

Winner – Happy Readers – McDonald’s Australia

Pester Power

Minions Happy Meal – McDonald’s Australia

Allen’s Makes Smiles – Allen’s Lollies, Nestlé

Made for Kids – Kinder Chocolate, Mondelez Made for kids

Winner – Minions Happy Meal – McDonald’s Australia

Smoke and Mirrors

Coke Life – Coca-Cola Australia

The Right Kinda Nuts – Kraft, Mondelez

Pack a Little Joy – LCM – Kellogg’s

Winner – Coke Life – Coca-Cola Australia

Foul Sport

Fuelling Future, Gary Ablett – Gatorade – Schweppes Australia

Macca’s Junior Sports Grants – McDonald’s Australia

Sponsorship of Big Bash League  – KFC Australia

Winner – Sponsorship of Big Bash League  – KFC Australia

Parents’ Choice

Pick Bright. Feel Right! – Nutrition Australia, Produce Marketing Association Australia and New Zealand and The Wiggles

Finish with the Right Stuff – New South Wales Health

National Walk Safely to School Day – Pedestrian Council of Australia

Winner – Pick Bright. Feel Right! – Nutrition Australia, Produce Marketing Association Australia and New Zealand and The Wiggles

Media Spotlight

Minions and Junk Food – Gruen (ABC – 4 November 2015)

Junk Food Advertisements – The Weekly (ABC – 10 June 2015)

Winner – Junk Food Advertisements – The Weekly

Worst of the Decade

Kellogg’s
McDonald’s Australia

Winner- McDonald’s Australia

Date: Wednesday 14 October 2015

Victory for parents as Coca-Cola slide gets the push

Drinks retailer Coca-Cola Amatil and Sydney Olympic Park management have responded to calls from parents to stop marketing sugary drinks to kids at the Sydney Olympic Park Splash Festival.

For the last 15 years, the Splash Festival event has featured a giant inflatable slide with two Coca-Cola bottles at the bottom, clearly promoting the sugary drink to children taking part in the festival. Advocacy group, Parents’ Voice, formerly known as The Parents’ Jury, contacted the organisers and Coca-Cola Amatil, asking that the promotional items be removed and that the drinks retailer and venue immediately cease promoting sugary drinks to children who attend the event.

Parents’ Voice is delighted that both Sydney Olympic Park and Coca-Cola Amatil have positively reacted to its request and have agreed to remove the promotional slide from future events.

Alice Pryor, Campaigns Manager for Parents’ Voice, said: “This is a real victory for parent power. The slide was brought to our attention by one of our members who saw the Coca-Cola bottles and felt that it was completely inappropriate to market sugary drinks to young children at this family event.

“When we drew the issue to the attention of Coca-Cola Amatil and Sydney Olympic Park, we pointed out that one in four Australian children are obese or overweight and that sugary drinks play a major part in weight gain and tooth decay in children. Our members also believe that venues such as Sydney Olympic Park should be a safe space where children are not subjected to this type of promotion.”

Mum of two from Hurlstone Park, Sydney, Lynne Scouller, did not want to see the Coca-Cola slide as part of the aquatic centre activities: “The Splash Festival is a great event for children during the school holidays and parents love to see kids take part in physical activity. However, we also educate our children about the consequences of consuming sugary drinks and don’t want to see them promoted at fun, family events like the Splash Festival.”

Ms Pryor added: “Our members are concerned about the environmental causes of obesity in children and we are very encouraged to see Coca-Cola Amatil and Sydney Olympic Park acting responsibly by responding to our call to remove this slide. We would like to see an end to all marketing of sugary drinks to children and we applaud this positive step of removing the promotional slide.”

-Ends-

Media contact:

Angela Mallon 0404 570 525 angela@parentsvoice.org.au

Alice Pryor       0416 219 261 alice@parentsvoice.org.au

Notes to Editor

Parents’ Voice is an online network of parents who are interested in improving the food and activity environments of Australian children. Formerly known as The Parents’ Jury, Parents’ Voice was formed in 2004 and represents thousands of Australian parents. Parents’ Voice is supported by Cancer Council Australia, Diabetes Victoria, VicHealth, YMCA Australia and the Bluearth Foundation.

25 September 2015

Coca-Cola’s giant belly flop at the Sydney Splash Festival

Parents want drinks retailer Coca-Cola Amatil to stop marketing sugary drinks to kids at the Sydney Olympic Park Splash Festival this weekend.

One of the highlights of the Splash Festival is a giant slide which has two enormous inflatable Coca-Cola bottles at the bottom, clearly promoting the sugary drink to children taking part in the festival.

The Splash Festival will take place on Sunday 27 September at the Aquatic Centre and is promoted by Sydney Olympic Park as “the ultimate family fun day with non-stop entertainment”.

Parents are demanding that Sydney Olympic Park and Coca-Cola Amatil remove the inflatable promotional items from the festival and immediately cease marketing sugary drinks to children who will attend the event.

Alice Pryor, Campaigns Manager for The Parents’ Jury, said: “Coca-Cola is clearly using these giant inflatable bottles to market its sugary drink to young children. We know that one in four Australian children are obese or overweight and that sugary drinks play a major part in weight gain and tooth decay in children. Public health campaigns have done a lot of good work in educating the community and children about the consequences of consuming sugary drinks. This kind of marketing to kids in 2015 is completely unacceptable.

“Parents are also annoyed that Sydney Olympic Park has allowed this type of marketing to take place in a public aquatic centre which should be a safe space where children are not subjected to this type of promotion,” said Ms Pryor.

Mum of two from Hurlstone Park, Sydney, Lynne Scouller, is unhappy with the Coca Cola slide: “The Splash Festival is a great event for children during the school holidays and parents love to see them take part in fun physical activities. However, associating these giant Coca-Cola bottles with fun times and being active, when we know that the real thing is packed full of sugar is not the message I want my kids to receive.”

Ms Pryor added: “Using these branded inflatable bottles at the Splash Festival means that Coca-Cola Amatil is arguably in breach of its own Advertising and Promotion to Children Policy. Obesity in children is a huge problem for our society and we need drinks retailers and venue organisers to act responsibly by not promoting unhealthy sugary drinks to children.”

-Ends-

Media contact
Angela Mallon 0404 570 525 amallon@diabetesvic.org.au
Alice Pryor 0416 219 261 alice@parentsjury.org.au

Monday 17 August

Parents throw the book at McDonald’s Happy Readers promotion

Parents are calling for an end to a McDonald’s Happy Meal promotion, launched in Australia at the start of August this year.

Children’s health advocacy group, The Parents’ Jury has submitted a complaint to the Advertising Standards Bureau calling for an end to the Happy Readers promotion.

Parents are particularly concerned about the digital element of the promotion, centred on an app called Happy Readers. The Happy Readers promotion gives children free books with the purchase of a McDonald’s Happy Meal. There are 10 hard copy books and 16 digital readers to collect in the series. The app is preloaded with 3 free titles, but to access other titles in the series, users have to input a unique code only obtained through purchasing a McDonald’s Happy Meal.

Alice Pryor, Campaigns Manager for The Parents’ Jury, said: “This app is clearly designed to appeal to, and be easily operated by, young children. What worries parents is the fact that the in-app bookstore and the Happy Meal box clearly display the titles that the child has yet to collect. To collect all 10 books and 16 digital readers, children would need to consume 23 Happy Meals in an 8 week period. That’s a lot of fast food in just two months and is certainly not recommended for healthy eating!

“It also concerns us that the in-app bookstore features the Happy Meal box character and although the Happy Meal highlighted in the app is a ‘heathier choice’, unfortunately, when a Happy Meal is purchased in store, the default food option is not usually the ‘healthier choice’.”

Mum of two from Melbourne, Cheryl McLeod, is unhappy about the McDonald’s promotion: “I hate the connotation that children can be “Happy Readers” while eating unhealthy food. This app is exploiting the fact that most parents will encourage reading and are happy to see children excited about collecting new titles. Children’s brains need nutritious food to develop properly and provide the concentration needed to read books, not the regular consumption of fast food that collecting this series of digital books encourages.”

McDonald’s has previously come under fire from health groups for its marketing of Happy Meals through toy giveaways, often linked to popular children’s movies. Promoting Happy Meals through digital media is a worrying development for parents as this is an area with little or no mandatory regulation.

Ms Pryor added: “McDonald’s is a fast food restaurant franchise, whose business is selling food not toys or books. Promotions which include a free toy or book with a meal entice children to request food and beverage products from McDonald’s and are not responsible marketing.”

-Ends-

Media contact

Angela Mallon 0404 570 525 amallon@diabetesvic.org.au
Alice Pryor 0416 219 261 alice@parentsjury.org.au

Complaint letter to Advertising Standards Bureau

23 June 2015

Not recommended – ‘healthy’ snacks fit for bins, not lunchboxes

Popular children’s lunchbox snacks have come under fire from one of Australia’s leading nutritionists, Dr Rosemary Stanton, for misleading parents with ‘health washing’ claims.

As part of a Food Detectives campaign run by children’s health advocacy group, The Parents’ Jury, Dr Stanton examined the nutritional composition of popular snack foods that parents thought were healthy lunchbox choices. Many of the seemingly healthy snacks were found to be too high in sugar or salt and most provided very little dietary value.

“I am astounded by the potentially misleading statements on the packaging of these products such as “sweetened with fruit”, “50% less fat” and “superfood”. When coupled with images of fruit or kids being physically active it is no surprise that some parents believe they are sending their children off to school with a healthy lunch box,” said Dr Stanton.

Out of the six products assessed, Uncle Toby’s Muesli Bar – Yoghurt Topps (Mango and Passionfruit) was deemed the worst offender. “Using yoghurt and fruit in the name of the product sounds healthy, but the yoghurt is a ‘compound’, with sugar and vegetable fat as the two major ingredients while mango and passionfruit make up a mere 3 percent of the product. The bars also have more than 30 ingredients including a variety of additives and preservatives, some of which are known to trigger asthma in susceptible children.

Another gripe of nutritionists is the use of Percentage Daily Intake (%DI) figures, “With a product clearly designed for children, the %DI figures, which are designed for adults, are confusing and should not be included,” Dr Stanton said.

Melbourne mum of two, Cheryl McLeod, said, “I often pop a muesli bar or yoghurt-coated snack into the kids’ lunchboxes because I thought they were a better option than chocolate bars or chips. However, Dr Stanton’s comments confirm that parents have to check the labels even when snacks appear to be healthy. A few of our regular snacks will now go in the bin instead of the lunchbox!”

Alice Pryor, Campaigns Manager for The Parents’ Jury says marketing claims around many children’s snack products have the potential to mislead parents, “Products which use phrases such as ‘made with whole grains’, ‘lunchbox friendly’ and ‘tastes good, naturally’ are designed to give the impression that they are ideal lunch options, when often they are not. In addition, many of these products are located in the ‘so called’ health food aisles which reinforces an image of ‘healthiness’.”

“Tools such as the new Health Star Ratings are useful in comparing the healthiness of like products, but parents need to get into the habit of checking individual labels and aim for snacks with less sugar; better still, select whole fruit and unsweetened yoghurt for lunch snacks,” said Ms Pryor.

-Ends-

Media contact: Alice Pryor 0416 219 261 alice@parentsjury.org.au

Notes to Editor

• The Parents’ Jury is an online network of parents, grandparents and carers, who are interested in improving the food and physical activity environments of Australian children.
• It’s supported by Cancer Council Australia, Diabetes Victoria, VicHealth, YMCA Victoria and the Bluearth Foundation
• More information on the products examined

Tuesday 17 February 2015

McDonald’s slammed for offering cash rebates to schools when students buy fast food

Health groups have today condemned McDonald’s for seeking to promote its unhealthy products to children in schools, kindergartens and early childhood centres.

Members of the Mildura community were dismayed to find that McDonalds had written to schools in the community encouraging them to have McDonald’s products, including burgers, fries, nuggets and desserts, delivered to their students, with incentives for participation such as cash rebates and free drinks.

The letter, which was passed on to The Parents’ Jury and the Obesity Policy Coalition (OPC) by a concerned Mildura parent, outlines the ‘McDonald’s School Support Program’ where food can be ordered for lunch days, fundraisers, end of term treats and for school excursions and functions.
Campaign Manager for The Parents’ Jury, Dimity Gannon, says “Allowing McDonald’s to be promoted in schools normalizes the consumption of fast food, undermining both parents’ and schools’ efforts to teach children about nutrition and instill healthy eating habits.
“Some schools might fall into the trap of taking up this offer because they see it as an opportunity to fundraise. However, the financial benefit for schools is minimal while McDonald’s benefit greatly by marketing to a captive audience of hundreds of children.”

Jane Martin, Executive Manager of the OPC, says attempts by McDonald’s to promote its unhealthy food to entire schools of children are insidious.

“This deliberate targeting of children in these settings shows that McDonald’s is putting profit ahead of children’s health. This is from a company that claims to be committed to ‘responsible’ advertising to children,” she says.

“The Australian Health Survey 2011-2012 shows that children are eating way too many energy dense, nutrient poor ‘discretionary foods’ that are not necessary in the diet , with very few consuming recommended quantities of fruit and vegetables.

“The Victorian State Government’s Healthy Together Victoria initiative in Mildura is doing a great job of supporting schools to create healthy canteen menus and implement healthy fundraising activities. Making McDonald’s available in schools would undermine this positive work.”

The Parents’ Jury and the Obesity Policy Coalition have each written to McDonald’s urging them to immediately stop the McDonald’s ‘School Support Program’ in Mildura and cease all promotion of McDonald’s branding and products in schools across Australia.

-Ends-

About The Parents’ Jury

The Parents’ Jury is an online network of parents, grandparents and carers, who are interested in improving the food and physical activity environments of Australian children.

The Parents’ Jury is supported by Cancer Council Australia, Diabetes Australia – Victoria, VicHealth, YMCA Victoria, the Australian and New Zealand Obesity Society and the Bluearth Foundation.

About the Obesity Policy Coalition

The Obesity Policy Coalition is a group of leading public health agencies who are concerned about the escalating levels of overweight and obesity, particularly in children.

The Obesity Policy Coalition is a partnership between Diabetes Australia – Vic, Cancer Council Victoria and the World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Obesity Prevention at Deakin University, with funding from VicHealth.

Media contact:
The Parents’ Jury Angela Mallon 0404 570 525 amallon@diabetesvic.org.au
Obesity Policy Coalition Shannon Crane 0432 157 270 shannon.crane@cancervic.org.au

28 January 2015

Parents blow whistle on junk food sponsorship of sport

Children’s health advocacy group, The Parents’ Jury, backs the call for Australian Sporting organisations to cut ties with companies that promote junk food to kids through sport.

A report released yesterday by the Obesity Policy Coalition revealed that children watching cricket last summer could have been exposed to 6.5 hours of junk food marketing.

Junk food sponsorship of sport continues to be a major issue for parents. Campaign Manager for The Parents’ Jury, Dimity Gannon said, “It seems senseless that children are being encouraged to adopt a healthier, more active lifestyle, yet when they do play or watch sport, they’re exposed to products and images that contradict this message.

“There is little doubt that promotions for fast food and soft drink influence children’s food choices and often undermine parents’ attempts to provide children with a healthy diet. Food and beverage companies target children through sport because it is effective and hugely profitable. It is no surprise that the report revealed T20 matches, which are a favourite with kids, had the most junk food ads, with over 1000 mentions in one match.” Ms Gannon said.

Health groups including The Obesity Policy Coalition, Cancer Council Victoria, Diabetes Australia – Vic and the WHO Collaborating Centre for Obesity Prevention wrote to Wally Edwards, the Chairman of the Board of Cricket Australia, calling on the organisation to phase out its sponsorship arrangements with unhealthy brands.

The Parents Jury would like to take this a step further and call on all sporting organisations at a national, state and club level to phase out junk food sponsorship in favour of sponsors that promote a healthy lifestyle.

“It would be great to see sporting organisations take it upon themselves to transition to healthier sponsorship arrangements but if they don’t act swiftly, governments needs to step in and restrict this avenue of marketing, as was done effectively with tobacco”, Ms Gannon said.

Contact: Angela Mallon 0404 570 525

Sunday 23 November

Pushing Powerade to sports clubs gets a red card from Australian parents

The Parents’ Jury 2014 Fame and Shame Awards Announced

Coca-Cola Amatil’s Powerade Sports Loyalty Program has been shamed in the 10th annual Fame and Shame Awards for marketing to children by incentivising sport clubs to purchase unhealthy drinks in return for sports equipment.

For a set of seven netball bibs valued at around $50, a club would be required to purchase $1,600 worth of drinks. This equates to the consumption of 442 bottles of Powerade, containing a whopping 15kg of sugar.

Health advocacy group, The Parents’ Jury, cautioned junior sports clubs to be aware of the amount of sugar that kids would need to consume in order for their club to redeem equipment through the Powerade Sports Loyalty Program.

Campaigns Manager of The Parents’ Jury, Dimity Gannon, said, “In this, the 10th year of the Fame and Shame Awards, we introduced the ‘Foul Play’ Award to highlight the numerous ways junk food marketing is infiltrating the world of children’s sport. This is a growing concern for parents who see junk food marketing as detracting from the health benefits associated with sport.”

Mum of two, Penny McBride from Sydney, said, “I am very concerned about my children’s exposure to junk food advertising. I don’t want the girls to take home the message that if they do some physical activity they should gulp down a sugary drink. I certainly don’t want their coaches put in the position of pushing these drinks on our kids to get more equipment for their clubs.”

Partner of The Parents’ Jury’s Fame and Shame Awards, Cancer Council NSW believes that the Awards remain more relevant than ever. Clare Hughes, Nutrition Program Manager said, “Companies are adapting and becoming craftier in their promotion of sugar-laden, high-sodium and fatty foods to children.

“As the evidence becomes clearer about the health risks associated with sugary drinks, pushing them through kids’ sport sends the wrong messages to children. We know that these drinks can contain up to 16 teaspoons of sugar in one serving, and regular consumption is contributing to overweight and obesity among children and teens.”

Coca-Cola Amatil received another dressing down from parents in the Digital Ninja category. Its Fanta Flavour Lab app rewards teens for Fanta purchases and encourages them to share content with their friends on social media. Sharing the Award, the McDonald’s Emlings app was slammed for targeting very young children under the guise of an educational game.

“It disturbs me that junk food companies put so much time, energy and resources into creating these digital campaigns designed to target children. I could not believe that a McDonald’s app targeting 4-8 year olds was allowed.” Mrs McBride added.

Nestlé Australia received the Pester Power Award for its Wonka Chocolate Golden Ticket promotion, which exploited the affection that children have for the ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ story. The promotion used the hook of finding one of five elusive golden tickets to win a trip to the ‘Wonka Chocolate Factory’.

Getting parents’ tick of approval, Woolworths received the Parents’ Choice Award for using marketing to promote healthy eating with the Jamie’s Garden Collectibles promotion. Parents approved that the promotion taught children about eating fresh healthy food in a fun and engaging way.

Ms Gannon from The Parents’ Jury said, “Over the past 10 years, we’ve seen the same companies vying for the Shame Awards. McDonald’s and Kellogg’s have been nominated every year, closely followed by Coca-Cola Amatil. This shows that despite parents’ concerns, the industry is still investing big bucks in marketing to children and industry self-regulation isn’t working.

-Ends-

Media contact: Gina Murphy 0413 889 283 ginam@nswcc.org.au or Angela Mallon 0404 570 525 amallon@diabetesvic.org.au

Notes to Editor

The Parents’ Jury is an online network of parents, grandparents and carers, who are interested in improving the food and physical activity environments of Australian children.

It’s supported by Cancer Council Australia, Diabetes Australia – Vic, VicHealth, YMCA Victoria and the Australian and New Zealand Obesity Society

About the Fame and Shame Awards

The Parents’ Jury Fame and Shame Awards aim to raise awareness of the persuasive and misleading techniques that advertisers use to promote unhealthy foods and drinks to children, and to recognise the advertisements that promote healthy food to children in a fun and appealing way.

The Awards give Australian parents a chance to have their say about the food marketing techniques they believe are targeting their children.

Members of The Parents’ Jury have been nominating examples of the best and worst children’s food marketing campaigns throughout the year.

Members voted on a shortlist in four categories which went forward to a panel of parents, academics and advertisers who decided that the awards should go to:

Pester Power: is awarded to the food marketing campaign that uses techniques which appeal to children, leading to them nagging their parents for unhealthy foods.

Awarded to: Nestlé Australia Wonka Chocolate Golden Ticket Promotion

Parents’ Choice: congratulates a food advertisement that promotes healthy eating to children in a fun and appealing way.

Awarded to: Woolworths: Jamie’s Garden Collectibles Promotion

Digital Ninja: given to the brand which has used digital media in the most obvious way to target children, gaining their attention; driving active participation in the brand and encouraging pester power.

Jointly Awarded to: Coca-Cola Amatil Fanta Flavour Lab App and McDonald’s Emlings App

Foul Play: for the marketing of unhealthy products to children through sponsorship of children’s sport, in what should be a healthy environment.

Awarded to: Coca-Cola Amatil Powerade Sports Loyalty Program

23 September 2014

Tighter rules around junk food marketing to children only effective if enforced

Advocacy group, The Parents’ Jury, welcomes global commitments from some of the world’s largest food and beverage companies to cut junk food marketing to children, but remains wary of the flaws of industry self-regulation.

Dimity Gannon, Campaigns Manager for The Parents’ Jury, said: “marketing strongly influences children’s food preferences and fuels pester power for parents to buy unhealthy foods. With 1 in 4 Australian children now classified as overweight or obese, restriction of junk food marketing to children is essential.”

CEOs of 11 international food and beverage companies, including the likes of Coca Cola, McDonald’s, Nestle, PepsiCo, Mars and Kellogg’s, say they will eliminate marketing to children under 12 across all advertising mediums by 2016.

“This could be a win for parents and children ‘if’ commitments to abolish junk food marketing to children are adhered to by the food and beverage industry.

“Too often we have seen junk food marketing to children slip through the cracks of industry self-regulation. Australia has a voluntary code for TV advertising to children, yet time after time junk food advertisements targeting children air during children’s TV programming.

“We would like to believe that industry can follow through with these commitments voluntarily this time, but their track record has not been good. Government regulation of junk food marketing to children would be a more effective and immediate step”, Ms Gannon said.

The World Health Organisation this month called for governments to play a leading role in reducing children’s overall exposure to food marketing by regulating those marketing techniques used by food and beverage companies.

The Parents’ Jury is an online network of parents and people who are interested in improving the food and physical activity environments of Australian children. Formed in 2004, The Parents’ Jury has thousands of members nationally and provides a forum for parents to voice their views and collectively advocate for change.

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Media contact: Dimity Gannon 0408 353 927

27 June 2014

Front of pack labelling website a win for parents

Advocacy group, The Parents’ Jury, welcomes the news that state and federal ministers have supported the healthy food star rating system and voted to re-establish the website that facilitates the new Health Star Rating on packaged food. The system will provide an overall indication of a food’s nutritional quality and will be placed on the front of packaged food.

Alice Pryor, Campaigns Manager for The Parents’ Jury calls for the food industry to implement the system as soon as possible.

“The Health Star Rating system will enable parents to make healthier choices. Its ‘at a glance’ guide gives parents the tools to quickly and clearly assess the nutritional content of packaged foods. Currently, there is too much confusion around the nutritional information presented on packaged food and parents find it difficult to determine which foods are healthiest.

“As almost one in four Australian children is overweight or obese, a system that helps families make better informed choices will clearly be beneficial. The star system is also more easily understood by children and will aid parents in educating their kids to make healthier food choices for themselves.”

The Parents’ Jury is an online network of parents, grandparents and carers, who are interested in improving the food and activity environments of Australian children. Formed in 2004, The Parents’ Jury has thousands of members registered nationally and provides a forum for members to voice their views and collectively advocate for change.

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Media contact: Alice Pryor 0416 219 261

21 February 2014

Parents welcome moves by ACT government on sugary drinks in schools

The Parents’ Jury welcomes today’s decision by the ACT government on the removal of sugary drinks from the territory’s public schools.

School plays a huge influence in a child’s life. When unhealthy foods and drinks are readily available in school canteens, in vending machines, as classroom rewards and at sporting activities, it directly contradicts any ‘healthy eating’ messages delivered by the school curriculum and families.

The Parents’ Jury Campaigns Manager Alice Pryor congratulates the ACT government for recognising the importance of good nutrition in school settings.

“The availability of healthy foods and drinks at school supports parents in creating a more nutritious lifestyle for their children. We support the ACT government in their quest to make the healthy choice the easy choice.

Research conducted in 2012/2013 by The Parents’ Jury, in conjunction with Monash University and VicHealth, showed that only 5 per cent of ACT government schools complied with National Healthy School Canteen Guidelines.

“Our research showed that a well resourced compliance system is key to ensuring that school food guidelines become a reality in our nation’s schools. We urge the ACT government to ensure that this policy is fully implemented.”

The Parents’ Jury is an online network of parents, grandparents and carers, who are interested in improving the food and activity environments of Australian children. We were formed in 2004 and we now have thousands of members registered nationally. We provide a forum for members to voice their views and collectively advocate for change.

Media contact: Alice Pryor 0416 219 261 / Angela Mallon 0404 570 525