The government has no plans to impose a ban on advertisements of “high fat, sugar and salt foods” (HFSS), Parliament was informed on Thursday.
Information and broadcasting minister Smriti Irani said industry bodies like Food and Beverage Alliance of India have “already decided” to voluntarily restrict food and beverage advertisements concerning children.
“Nine major Food Business Operators have joined this campaign and have decided to not to advertise products with high fat, salt or sugar on children's channels,” Irani told the Lok Sabha in a written reply.
She said that Food Safety and Standards Authority of India set up an expert group to address the issue of HFSS, and it, in its report, regarding ban on foods with HFSS advertising on children’s channels or during children shows.
“On this recommendation, the remarks of the FSSAI was that the food businesses could be asked to voluntarily desist from advertising HFSS foods on children's channels.”