Starting today, television advertising of junk food — items and drinks high in fat, salt and sugar (HFSS) — is being banned throughout the United Kingdom. Noncompliance can result in action by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA).
There is a catch, however, as brand names can still be advertised, but the ads cannot show images of fast-food items, such as soft drinks, chocolates and sweets, pizzas and ice creams. The ban also covers some breakfast cereals and porridges, sweetened bread products, and complete meals and sandwiches.
The UK’s cousin to our Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is the Food and Drink Federation (FDF).
