Big Food Broadens Pledge To Restrict Ads For Unhealthful Foods Targeting Kids

Members of the International Food & Beverage Alliance, an 11-member coalition of industry giants, has pledged to the World Health Organization that it will expand voluntary restrictions on ads targeting children featuring sugary drinks, or salty and fatty foods. The IFBA, whose members include Coca-Cola, Nestlé, Mondelez, McDonald’s and Unilever, first agreed to restrict advertising aimed at children in 2009. The broader agreement now covers the use of licensed characters, movie tie-ins and celebrities that appeal to preteens in marketing campaigns. The standards will be fully implemented by 2016.