US Food Companies Continue to Promote Unhealthy Products for Kids

A new report released by researchers at Yale University's Rudd Center for Food Policy & Obesity reveals that American food companies continue to advertize their unhealthiest products for kids even though they are manufacturing healthier breakfast cereals for children. The report, titled Cereal Facts, said that the money spent on marketing cereals targeted at children rose by 30 percent from 2008 to $264 million in 2011. Majority of the ads beamed on TV were of brands that ranked healthier breakfast cereals for children.

The report said that advertising of Kellogg Co's Froot Loops increased by 79 percent in the three years between 2008 and 2011 while those of General Mills Inc's Reese's Puffs rose by 55 percent and General Mills Inc's Reese's Puffs by 25 percent.

“The companies know how to make a range of good-tasting cereals that aren’t loaded with sugar and salt. Why can’t they help parents out and market these directly to children instead?” co-author of the study, Marlene Schwartz said.


Source-Medindia