Online junk food ban = chocolate business over?

[Austin VT]

The government are set to bring in a ban from 2025 on "Junk Food" advertising on TV before 9pm and online "at all times".
How are small confectionery businesses like mine meant to market ourselves? We rely heavily on Instagram and Facebook adverts, as do most businesses.

I hope some sanity will prevail and there will be some exceptions for very small businesses like mine otherwise this could put us out of business. We could take out print ads and so forth, but it won't fill the gap left by online.

Do people think this ban will go ahead in a blanket form?

 

[JEREMY HAWKE]

You should contact your MP forth with!
I doubt if anybody has even considered small online businesses Its a case of "look at me everybody" with these new comrades

 

[Newchodge]

You should contact your MP forth with!
I doubt if anybody has even considered small online businesses Its a case of "look at me everybody" with these new comrades

Two thoughts

Junk food is not less unhealthy when sold by a small business.

An advert for a supplier of junk food advertises the food as much as the supplier.

 

[WaveJumper]

Out of shear bloody annoyance at yet more nanny state interference I went to Tesco last night and bought the largest bar of chocolate I could find .......... going to enjoy it this weekend before they start locking us all up.

On a serious note I would write to your MP

 

[Mark T Jones]

As above write to your MP - with a considered argument, not just a small business plea.

I haven't looked at the detail, but chocolate itself isn't inherently junk - where in the market are you?

 

[Newchodge]

As above write to your MP - with a considered argument, not just a small business plea.

I haven't looked at the detail, but chocolate itself isn't inherently junk - where in the market are you?

It's foods high in fat, sugar and/or salt. Chocolate will be included and most other sweets.

Junk food ban: What is included under new advert rules for online?

Online restrictions will start in October 2025, with junk food adverts on TV banned before 21:00.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[japancool]

Has nobody in this country heard of eating things "in moderation"?

 

[WaveJumper]

Yep I only bought one bar but it was the largest they had

 

[Mark T Jones]

It's foods high in fat, sugar and/or salt. Chocolate will be included and most other sweets.

Junk food ban: What is included under new advert rules for online?

Online restrictions will start in October 2025, with junk food adverts on TV banned before 21:00.

www.bbc.co.uk

It's not 100% clear 'most ' chocolate

Would that include quality, 80% chocolate (my favourite) for example?

 

[Newchodge]

It's not 100% clear 'most ' chocolate

Would that include quality, 80% chocolate (my favourite) for example?

I don't hink it says most chocolate. I think it says chocolate and sweets, meaning most confectionery. That sounds like all chocolate to me. It is only an advertising restriction, not a sales ban.

 

[japancool]

I like 90% chocolate, when I can get hold of it.

Fruit is also high in sugar. Ban it now! So is white bread.

While we're at it, don't forget sweet wines too.

 

[Austin VT]

As above write to your MP - with a considered argument, not just a small business plea.

I haven't looked at the detail, but chocolate itself isn't inherently junk - where in the market are you?

Hi Mark, I will try writing to our MP thanks. We sell chocolate that's pretty standard in terms of nutritional values, so high in fat and sugar. I genuinely don't think banning advertising of these types of foods will make any difference to obesity levels but it will harm business.

 

[Mark T Jones]

I like 90% chocolate, when I can get hold of it.

Fruit is also high in sugar. Ban it now! So is white bread.

While we're at it, don't forget sweet wines too.

Whilst I'm nott a fan of banning, @Newchodge has pointed out that this is a restriction on advertising, not a ban - much like removing sweets from POS several years ago.

It will have some impact and it will slightly change habits - albeit not hugely.

Obviously it's squarely aimed at children - whilst adults can be legally deemed to make rational, considered decisions, children can't and don't

 

[JEREMY HAWKE]

Whilst I'm nott a fan of banning, @Newchodge

Ban Her
She is going to kick your ass on Monday morning

 

[Austin VT]

Whilst I'm nott a fan of banning, @Newchodge has pointed out that this is a restriction on advertising, not a ban - much like removing sweets from POS several years ago.

It will have some impact and it will slightly change habits - albeit not hugely.

Obviously it's squarely aimed at children - whilst adults can be legally deemed to make rational, considered decisions, children can't and don't

Things like Instagram and Facebook ads can be targeted at 18+ year olds so if this legislation is aimed at children, one would hope we'd be able to continue to promote our products to adults.

 

[Newchodge]

Ban Her
She is going to kick your ass on Monday morning

Don't worry Mark. I know that you're not a fan of banning me. Unlike some others. (looking around, slowly, eyes narrowed).

 

[tony84]

Just bang some vitamin C or D in and promote it as a health food that seems to be all it takes.
I see my daughters yoghurts pushing that is has calcium and vitamin D and then you see the sugar content and I just think the cheek.

My daughter doesnt really have sweets etc by the way so I am not overly fussed about a yoghurt. But its easy to see why kids are overweight.

 

[Newchodge]

Just bang some vitamin C or D in and promote it as a health food that seems to be all it takes.
I see my daughters yoghurts pushing that is has calcium and vitamin D and then you see the sugar content and I just think the cheek.

My daughter doesnt really have sweets etc by the way so I am not overly fussed about a yoghurt. But its easy to see why kids are overweight.

Yoghurts (or at least the vast majority) will be included in the advertising ban.

 

[japancool]

Whilst I'm nott a fan of banning, @Newchodge has pointed out that this is a restriction on advertising, not a ban - much like removing sweets from POS several years ago.

It will have some impact and it will slightly change habits - albeit not hugely.

Obviously it's squarely aimed at children - whilst adults can be legally deemed to make rational, considered decisions, children can't and don't

It's a ban on *online* advertising though. TV advertising will still be allowed after 21.00, and I think it's allowed before then if it's not aimed at children,

What that effectively means is that it pushes small business out of the market. You won't be able to use targeted FB marketing if you, as a small business, want to launch a new product, the most cost effective method pay-per-click route is unavailable to you, and only the big corporates can afford to advertise.

 

[tony84]

If your into marketing you could do an advert for a car or something and have a bloke eating a chocolate bar - subliminal advertising.

 

[AlanJ1]

I genuinely don't think banning advertising of these types of foods will make any difference to obesity levels but it will harm business.

If business is harmed, then surely less is being bought = difference to obesity levels?

 

[Newchodge]

I genuinely don't think banning advertising of these types of foods will make any difference to obesity levels but it will harm business.

The aim is to try to reduce obesity in children. Children see something in a shop that they have never seen before and they will not be particularly interested in it. But if they see something that they have seen heavily advertised they will demand it. An advertising ban helps parents to prevent their chldren demanding foods that are not good for them. The next step shpould be bland packaging.

The tobacco industry spent billions trying to prevent the advertising ban. Why do you think they spent all that money?

 

[Austin VT]

The aim is to try to reduce obesity in children. Children see something in a shop that they have never seen before and they will not be particularly interested in it. But if they see something that they have seen heavily advertised they will demand it. An advertising ban helps parents to prevent their chldren demanding foods that are not good for them. The next step shpould be bland packaging.

The tobacco industry spent billions trying to prevent the advertising ban. Why do you think they spent all that money?

Are you seriously suggesting all chocolate should be packaged in 'plain packaging'? What kind of communist dystopia do you want us to live in?

Our products are not advertised to children to begin with so we're wondering what type of ban is coming into force. A ban on advertising directed at children is something we have zero problem with. A blanket online ban on paid advertising for confectionery is when it becomes absurd. No other country has done this.

And to the other poster's question. It will harm small businesses like ours, because we don't have the financial ability to purchase post-watershed TV advertising or workaround the ban in ways that big corporations can.

 

[NickGrogan]

The aim is to try to reduce obesity in children. Children see something in a shop that they have never seen before and they will not be particularly interested in it. But if they see something that they have seen heavily advertised they will demand it. An advertising ban helps parents to prevent their chldren demanding foods that are not good for them. The next step shpould be bland packaging.

The tobacco industry spent billions trying to prevent the advertising ban. Why do you think they spent all that money?

Do these children not have parents that can say no?

 

[Russ Michaels]

this is insane, especially when you consider all the far worse things affecting society the govt are doing nothing about, such as grooming gangs, trafficking, illegal migration and the associated rape and violence, scammers, frauidsters etc.

not even sure how they even enforce online advertising, it would be impossible to track and detect every company advertising online. they wouldn't even know unless they saw the ad. Scammers and criminals are advertising all the time everywhere, and they cannot stop that.

 

[Mark T Jones]

Do these children not have parents that can say no?

You already know the answer to that.

Pester power is very real, and freely exploited by supermarkets and marketeers.

Sometimes they even make a virtue out of exploiting it.

Why do major supermarkets put nice big parents & child parking spaces right by the door? I can guarantee it's not because they care about kids' wellbeing, it's because they have solid evidence that Mummy will spend more (15% more) with Jonny and Gemima in tow than without them.

In a perfect world, it's the parents' responsibility. In the real world, we have a very real and growing (literally) problem with childhood obesity - with associated complications, and something definitely needs to be done about it.

 

[NickGrogan]

You already know the answer to that.

Pester power is very real, and freely exploited by supermarkets and marketeers.

Sometimes they even make a virtue out of exploiting it.

Why do major supermarkets put nice big parents & child parking spaces right by the door? I can guarantee it's not because they care about kids' wellbeing, it's because they have solid evidence that Mummy will spend more (15% more) with Jonny and Gemima in tow than without them.

In a perfect world, it's the parents' responsibility. In the real world, we have a very real and growing (literally) problem with childhood obesity - with associated complications, and something definitely needs to be done about it.

We could start by not making excuses for parents.

Children can't become obese by themselves.

 

[AlanJ1]

not even sure how they even enforce online advertising, it would be impossible to track and detect every company advertising online. they wouldn't even know unless they saw the ad. Scammers and criminals are advertising all the time everywhere, and they cannot stop that.

Very easily.

Enforce it as law and they can they make Google enforce it or they will start piling fines onto Google.
It's been done in other industries to Google / other ad platforms.

 

[NickGrogan]

Very easily.

Enforce it as law and they can they make Google enforce it or they will start piling fines onto Google.
It's been done in other industries to Google / other ad platforms.

So there's no illegal content on Google?

Since when?

 

[AlanJ1]

So there's no illegal content on Google?

Since when?

Did I say there's no illegal content on Google?

If the government want to push this through and ENFORCE it, they will fine Google to a point that they will make changes to the ad policy. As said they have done this countless times in the past.

 

[ethical PR]

The government are set to bring in a ban from 2025 on "Junk Food" advertising on TV before 9pm and online "at all times".
How are small confectionery businesses like mine meant to market ourselves? We rely heavily on Instagram and Facebook adverts, as do most businesses.

I hope some sanity will prevail and there will be some exceptions for very small businesses like mine otherwise this could put us out of business. We could take out print ads and so forth, but it won't fill the gap left by online.

Do people think this ban will go ahead in a blanket form?

How much advertising do you do on TV ?

 

[ethical PR]

Hi Mark, I will try writing to our MP thanks. We sell chocolate that's pretty standard in terms of nutritional values, so high in fat and sugar. I genuinely don't think banning advertising of these types of foods will make any difference to obesity levels but it will harm business.

Actually there's lots of research to show that reducing junk food advertising and drinks on TV aimed at kids before the 9 pm watershed has worked .

Are children your main target market ?

 

[Austin VT]

You already know the answer to that.

Pester power is very real, and freely exploited by supermarkets and marketeers.

Sometimes they even make a virtue out of exploiting it.

Why do major supermarkets put nice big parents & child parking spaces right by the door? I can guarantee it's not because they care about kids' wellbeing, it's because they have solid evidence that Mummy will spend more (15% more) with Jonny and Gemima in tow than without them.

In a perfect world, it's the parents' responsibility. In the real world, we have a very real and growing (literally) problem with childhood obesity - with associated complications, and something definitely needs to be done about it.

If a child is obese, their family is probably also obese. All eating the same garbage foods for every single meal, and swishing it down with a glass of fizzy pop.

Stopping them seeing things like pizza or chocolate on their PC or TV before 9pm is really going to turn them all into slim and healthy people? It's just so daft.

Plenty of us manage to enjoy chocolate a couple of times a week without becoming morbidly obese. This urge to just ban everything all the time just doesn't work.

 

[japancool]

The aim is to try to reduce obesity in children. Children see something in a shop that they have never seen before and they will not be particularly interested in it. But if they see something that they have seen heavily advertised they will demand it. An advertising ban helps parents to prevent their chldren demanding foods that are not good for them. The next step shpould be bland packaging.

Just ban children from buying them entirely then. Job done. Children should only be allowed to buy vegetables and plain water. Nothing else.

For heaven's sake, won't someone think of the children!

 

[Austin VT]

Actually there's lots of research to show that reducing junk food advertising and drinks on TV aimed at kids before the 9 pm watershed has worked .

Are children your main target market ?

Please read the thread

 

[Newchodge]

Are you seriously suggesting all chocolate should be packaged in 'plain packaging'? What kind of communist dystopia do you want us to live in?

Why do you think it is a problem?

 

[ecommerce84]

This is one of those things where small businesses will take the brunt of it and big businesses will be just fine.

And kids will still be obese because they aren’t the ones who buy the junk food in the first place.

 

[Lucan Unlordly]

In a perfect world, it's the parents' responsibility. In the real world, we have a very real and growing (literally) problem with childhood obesity - with associated complications, and something definitely needs to be done about it.

In the opposite corner we have the double edged sword of equality where 'Tubby Johnson' is gifted a place in the school Basketball team simply to align with the latest inclusion policy.
Nothing wrong with that in essence but lets not kid ourselves and think he's going to knuckle down and get fighting fit, watch his diet etc., if he gets to play anyway.

 

[Mark T Jones]

TBH @Austin VT you seem to be having the wrong arguments with the wrong people.

Nobody (in their right mind) disputes that childhood obesity is an issue, and that sweet treats (and processed foods) are key contributors.

There will be any number of opinions on the best way of resolving it - if you want a rambling, eternal debate that's definitely the way to go.

if you want a way forward for business, I'd suggest 2 possible angles:

- Re-assess you product and overall marketing to fit and and even make the rules work in your favour.

- Put together a coherent, factual argument about how the rules can be amended whilst delivering results.

 

[Austin VT]

Why do you think it is a problem?

Your mentality is baffling to me. Imagine going into Willy Wonka's chocolate factory and everything is just brown, drab, and lifeless. This is the trajectory you seem to see no issue with. I'm afraid if this isn't something you instinctively know is a problem, I won't be able to explain it to you.

TBH @Austin VT you seem to be having the wrong arguments with the wrong people.

Nobody (in their right mind) disputes that childhood obesity is an issue, and that sweet treats (and processed foods) are key contributors.

There will be any number of opinions on the best way of resolving it - if you want a rambling, eternal debate that's definitely the way to go.

if you want a way forward for business, I'd suggest 2 possible angles:

- Re-assess you product and overall marketing to fit and and even make the rules work in your favour.

- Put together a coherent, factual argument about how the rules can be amended whilst delivering results.

This thread isn't even about childhood obesity. I created it because currently the plan is to "ban all online adverts for junk food". This means we can't target anyone with ads for our product. Our ads have always been targeted at adults only, and we hope as the legislation becomes clearer, that we will continue to be able to do so.