WHO calls for ban on junk food ads on children’s apps

The Work Health Organisation (WHO) has issued a report warning that children need to be protected from junk food adverts appearing on apps, social media and video blogs.

The report cautioned that many parents are unaware of the amount of junk food adverts their children are exposed to and has criticised governments for not keeping with the revolution of how people are consuming media.

The report warned that some fast food chains were collecting data on children - their age, location, likes and preferences - in order to target them with junk food adverts.

In an interview with the BBC, Dr Joao Breda, the WHO programme manager for nutrition, physical activity and obesity: "It is going digital very strongly and we know that existing models of regulation have holes and gaps that don't cover the needs of our children.

"We think it's huge, but parents don't know - sometimes they don't realise their children are being exposed. You could argue that is it more dangerous [than traditional media like TV]."

Dr Alison Tedstone, chief nutritionist at Public Health England, said: "Our evidence review shows that all forms of advertising and marketing - including the use of characters, advergames and digital marketing - affect the balance of children's diets."

PHE is currently reviewing what foods and drinks can be advertised to children.