Disney to ban junk food ads

[Lisaj13]

NEW YORK — Disney says its programming will no longer be sponsored by junk food.
The Walt Disney Co. said Tuesday that it will become the first major media company to ban such ads for its TV channels, radio stations and websites intended for children. That means kids watching Saturday morning children’s shows on Disney’s ABC network will no longer see ads for fast foods and sugary cereals that don’t meet company’s nutrition standards.
The guidelines won’t go into effect until 2015 because of existing advertising agreements.
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The article is longer for those that are interested and wish to check it out.

[DisneyDINK]

Interesting idea. Now I am waiting for the backlash.

[Altair]

Who thinks they will stop selling them in the parks?

[Ian]

More silliness .... they sell candy, soda, cheeseburgers, french fries, hot dogs, salt water taffy, chips, Doritos and any number of unhealthy types of foods in their theme parks (as well they should since we're all on vacation and should be able to eat what we want if we choose to do so).

These types of PR stunts just bore me. Hypocrisy is hypocrisy no matter whether it's from Disney or someone else.

[shadowden]

Token gesture to look PC...

[Patricia]

Really? I don't think it's all token PC.

This is a huge step for a major company that will likely suffer a loss. Regardless of what is available to buy in a store or theme park, I'm very pleased they will no longer advertise it to children through every day media. Persuasive advertising targeting children to eat unhealthy foods should have been dropped years ago. Ads only create needs where non existed before and psychology is often used in designing ad campaigns to the detriment of our children. When it comes to food this has turned into a major health issue.

I think removing the offending ads is a great step forward and can only hope the rest of the networks will soon follow.

It was also announced that Disney will remove 25 per cent the amount of salt in children's meals served at its theme parks, carry a series of "public service" advertisements that will promote exercise and healthy food, and introduce a range of Disney-themed fruit and vegetable products to be sold in supermarkets.. I guess if you're going to be persuasive, at least make it matter.

[dnickels]

Kudos to Disney for this. Just because they serve junk food in the parks doesn't mean they HAVE to allow advertising for junk food on their television channels. The theme park menus aren't going to become tofu and rice cakes.

Besides, aren't we always complaining about how Disney does nothing but focus on the short term quarterly profits and shaking that last almighty dollar from their customers rather than long-term quality? This is 180 degrees from that concept, it will almost certainly cost them advertising customers when it kicks in in 2015. The only reason I can see someone being jaded about this is if they don't believe Disney will really go through with it since the actual change won't happen for another 3 years (and that may be a legitimate concern) but I've seen people bash Disney for just about anything so I shouldn't be surprised that they catch grief for this as well.

[DisneyDINK]

And there it is. (kinda)

[Scar]

I'm confused. Since when have children had the means (ie. money and transportation) to buy anything, let alone unhealthy food?

[MinnieMommie]

This is actually a big change for Disney to make and a real step towards improving the health of our children. Studies show that it is not only the screen time involved with TV usage that contributes to childhood obesity but also the adds. The food commercials are related to the eating habits and food preferences of the kids who are watching.

Way to go Disney! You are taking real leadership in this area.

[BrerGnat]

I'm confused. Since when have children had the means (ie. money and transportation) to buy anything, let alone unhealthy food?

I agree. It's not the kids that are buying the food.

Any parent who is swayed to buy junk food SOLELY as a result of their child asking for it is just not all that concerned with their child's health, AND has larger problems to deal with if their kids are able to manipulate them to that extent at a young age...

My kids watch Disney Channel all the time. NOT ONCE have they ever asked me to buy a food solely due to a commercial. They like what they like, and they eat what I buy. Sometimes I buy junk because we do everything in moderation in this house. Making this change is not going to make a bit of difference in my house, and I predict the majority of others as well.

It's the teenagers who they need to stop advertising junk to. Those kids actually have money and use it to buy junk food all the time.

[Stu29573]

While I think this is a rather hollow gesture and a stab at being a little more PC than I am comfortable with, Disney can certainly do what they feel is right for their compnay.

Do I think it will have any real effect? No.
Do I think it will last for long? No.
Do I think it's for PR only. Probably.

Kids eat what their parents buy for them.
Anything is ok in moderation. (ok, not rat poison, but you know what I mean)
Lets get some common sense, folks....

[BrerGnat]

Wait a minute...I just realized...

Who watches commercials anymore???

[Disney Doll]

I think it's a good move and having a major player step up like this could encourage others to do the same. I don't feel like it's hypocrisy just because they serve junk in the parks. Junk should be reserved for special occasions like a vacation and not something we partake in all the time.

Sure parents are the ones who are ultimately responsible, but I think it's easy to forget how unhealthy some of this stuff is when you see it pushed as legitimate options for children all the time.

This is a multifaceted issue that Disney can't solve, but I give them kuddos for taking a step in the right direction.

[TheVBs]

Good for Disney! Any step in the right direction is a great thing.

[CU Tiger]

Commercials do not sell the food to the kids, parents buy it for them. As a parent, you are responsible for what your child eats. I think this is hypocritical of Disney to ban the commercials, but sell the same stuff at their parks. What about the people that take care of themselves and only eat junk food as a treat and not a source of all their meals? I guess they don’t count. Personal responsibility is gone. Now we just blame others for our poor decisions. Who really thinks eating junk food on a regular basis is good for you? Like it or not, Disney is a business and their goal is to make a profit for the stock holders.

[texas211]

People are congratulating Disney, but, what are they doing? Stopping advertising to parents... Well, its the parents, like in most situations, that just need to take charge and buy or not buy what they feel is best.

[TheVBs]

Yes, yes, yes... it's the parents buying the food. I think we all know that. But it's certainly not going to hurt to quit advertizing to children who are bugging parents who perhaps aren't as good at being in charge of healthy choices. It's not a perfect world. I get so fed up with the fuss that any step in the right direction isn't good enough because of -fill in the blank-. It's a step in the right direction!! Can't we just congratulate one little step in the right direction? Sheesh!!

[Tekneek]

Health is not political correctness. There is a lot of pressure for private enterprise to take proactive steps regarding the "food" that is marketed directly at children, else they risk increasing government regulation. Disney is taking a leadership position, to some degree, in this matter, especially since they are probably the best known family brand out there. One day, companies are not going to want to be seen as the type who just take money from anyone. They will want to be associated with higher quality.

Nothing stops you from eating at McDonald's for every meal of your entire life, if you so choose. You are free to have your entire family eat there with you, without them ever showing a commercial on any television or radio station.

[RBrooksC]

Fine. I guess I was wrong. Maybe I should just echo Rev. Lovejoy's wife and say, "Won't you please, do it for the chidlren???"