WHAT: Food advocates across the country are asking the President to act now to protect
children from junk food marketing. In this call-in media briefing, the country’s leading researchers and advocates for healthy food access will unveil “We’re Not Buying It,” a video highlighting deceptive marketing to children; debunk industry claims; highlight the latest research; and launch a campaign urging the President to stand up for the health of our kids.
WHEN: Thursday, October 6th, 2011, 9am PT/12noon ET
WHERE: Dial in number: 1 (888) 394-8197 Participants Code: 278763#
(Press materials and video will be available here at 8:30am PT/11:30am ET).
WHO:
- Margo Wootan, Center for Science in the Public Interest
- Juliet Sims, Prevention Institute
- Jennifer Harris, Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity, Yale University
- Priscilla Gonzales, Berkeley Media Studies Group
- Jeffrey Chester, Center for Digital Democracy
- Samantha Graff, Public Health Law & Policy
WHY: The Interagency Working Group on Foods Marketed to Children (IWG) has proposed reasonable, science-based nutrition guidelines to help provide a model for companies that market to kids. Unfortunately, the food industry and media companies are working to get Congress and the Administration to stop the IWG from finalizing these sensible recommendations. The House of Representatives included a rider in its Financial Services spending bill that would block the IWG’s work – even though over 28,000 parents and organizations wrote in support of the guidelines. The Senate countered that by including a provision in their bill in support of the IWG. Thus, how the Congress will address the fate of the IWG is still uncertain. We’re calling on the President to join parents, doctors, and public health practitioners in standing up for children’s health by supporting the Interagency Working Group’s voluntary guidelines. When we put children first, the plan of action is clear: companies should market the foods that keep kids healthy, not sugary cereals and other junk food. The IWG guidelines will help to do just that.
For media inquiries please contact
Ann Whidden
ann@preventioninstitute.org
415-425-5157
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Prevention Institute is a national non-profit organization, established in 1997, dedicated to placing prevention at the center of efforts to improve community health, equity and well-being. The Institute specializes in building capacity among community-based organizations and government agencies at the local, state, and federal level to develop strategies for environmental, policy, and systems-level changes to prevent illness and injury in the first place. Find us at www.preventioninstitute.org.