Which? slams food companies

Food companies have come under fire from an industry watchdog for using ‘underhand’ tactics to market unhealthy products to children.

Consumer association Which? has said companies using technologies such as the Internet and text messaging to communicate promotions about fatty and sugary foods are being underhand. In a report entitled ‘Child Catchers’, it claimed these were two of 40 ‘marketing tricks’ companies are using to target young people.

Practices highlighted included companies sponsoring competitions on websites, or launching text competitions for cash prizes. Others were creating positive product association through themed online games or on the back of endorsing popular culture such as film and celebrity news.

With 75 per cent of teenagers able to access the Internet, the ability for companies to reach youngsters on such a large scale is causing concern about the rise in childhood obesity in the UK. Currently one in seven under 11s and one in five 12-16 year-olds are clinically obese. The condition puts them at a much higher risk of developing cancer, strokes and heart disease.