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GMA to Federal Policymakers: Food and Beverage Advertisers Promote Healthy Lifestyles to Children |
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From Grocery Manufacturers Association: "The food and beverage industry is committed to the goal of reducing obesity rates and encouraging healthy lifestyles among children." To that end, we commend the Council of Better Business Bureaus and the Children's Food and Beverage Advertising Initiative for today's announcement that the 11 food and beverage companies accounting for over two-thirds of all TV advertising to children under the age of 12 have pledged to focus essentially all of that advertising on products meeting better-for-you standards or refrain from advertising to that age group. "Over the last five years, food and beverage companies have introduced more than 10,000 new and reformulated products with more whole grains and fiber, reduced calories, reduced saturated fat, zero trans fat and lower sodium and sugar," Sophos continued. "During this same period, many food companies have also introduced 100-calorie packaging, smaller sizes for children and similar forms of portion controlled offerings and are investing millions of dollars in initiatives that educate consumers on the importance of a healthy diet and increased physical activity. "Earlier this year the food and beverage industry launched an in-store promotion campaign -- Take a Peak into MyPyramid -- to provide information about MyPyramid and the 2005 Dietary Guidelines to consumers in the grocery store aisles where shoppers ultimately make their food choices. "As food and beverage marketers have shifted the mix of products advertised to children, a recent Georgetown Economic Services ("GES") study found that children are seeing fewer food, beverage and restaurant ads on television. The Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) represents the world's leading food, beverage and consumer products companies.
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