Fast food giants will be allowed to keep advertising on TV before 9pm as long as they avoid showing junk food, ministers will say on Thursday as they announce new rules aimed to tackling Britain’s obesity problem.
The plans, to be outlined in the Commons, will restrict fast food giants from advertising products high in fat and sugar online, as well as new restrictions on TV adverts before the watershed.
However, there are expected to be major loopholes in the regulations, including allowing businesses to advertise between 5.30pm and 9pm as long as they avoid showing banned food items such as soft drinks, cakes and pizza.
There are expected to be no restrictions placed on online audio, opening the door to a wave of fast food advertising on podcasts and internet radio stations.
Meanwhile, companies with fewer than 250 employees are also set to be exempt from the regulations.
Under the planned rules, there is expected to be no curbs on industry giants such as Cadbury, McDonald’s and Coca-Cola running their own websites and social media pages, while certain sugary or high fat food products will also be free from restrictions including honey, olive oil and avocado.
