Canadians are taking a legal approach in their efforts to curb the obesity epidemic by challenging junk food companies in court. One legal tactic involves using laws against marketing certain products to children.
Saputo Inc. marketed its Vachon snack cakes to children in daycare centers as a nutritious snack when combined with fruit and milk. The ads encouraged children to stay fit by doing a "gorilla dance" as they ate the cakes shaped like gorillas. Saputo argued that it was promoting physical fitness, but a Quebec court ordered the company to pay a fine of $44,000.
"Using children to sell products goes against the law," said Suzie Pellerin, director of an anti-obesity group in Canada.
Pellerin's group is instrumental in taking McDonalds, Burger King and General Mills before Canadian courts this year, facing charges related to beaming junk food advertisements and promotions at children by distributing toys in children's meals, sponsoring movies, and advertising Lucky Charm games.
"Since we cannot act on the content of food offered to children," Ms. Pellerin said, "we can at least reduce their exposure to this advertising."
Labels: laws, penalties, junk_food
Posted By: Aspen Education Group
