Using schools to market and sell unhealthy products

New research published by Bite Back, a youth-led organisation; investigates how big food and drink brands are using schools to market and sell their unhealthy products to children and young people.

Alice Wiseman, ADPH Vice President, said:

“There is a wealth of evidence to suggest that by being involved in school programmes, these harmful products, which are linked to a myriad of illnesses including many cancers, heart conditions and respiratory disease, are normalised. The evidence about the risks of harm is also often distorted and instead, blame is shifted to individual choice and personal responsibility.

“We know that food and drink habits are formed at an early age and so we need to do more to protect children and young people from targeted marketing, and, at the same time, do more to create healthier environments, where food high in fat, salt and sugar, is not seen as the norm.”