GMA to Federal Policymakers: Food and Beverage Advertisers Promote Healthy Lifestyles to Children

WASHINGTON, July 18 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In remarks before a Federal Trade Commission/Department of Health and Human Services Forum entitled, "Weighing In: A Check-up on Marketing, Self-Regulation, and Childhood Obesity," Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) Senior Vice President and Chief Government Affairs Officer Mary Sophos today outlined the food and beverage industry's commitment to improved health and wellness.

"The food and beverage industry is committed to the goal of reducing obesity rates and encouraging healthy lifestyles among children," said Sophos. "GMA and its members are providing a wider range of nutritious product choices and marketing these choices in ways that promote healthy lifestyles. 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. This news represents another bold step forward by the industry in the battle against childhood obesity and the promotion of healthy lifestyles.

"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. Through clear and simple in-store point-of-purchase messaging, Take a Peak provides easy-to- follow advice that shows consumers how small, progressive changes in their product purchasing habits can improve their diets and their health. With over 5,500 stores in 30 states participating, Take a Peak represents the largest collective effort to date by the food and beverage industry to build an environment that supports Americans' efforts to live healthier lifestyles.

"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 results of this study confirm similar trends reported earlier this year by the FTC when it reported that children are seeing fewer minutes of food advertising on television than they were in 1977. GMA found that since 1994 there has been a 22% decrease in food, beverage and restaurants ads seen on TV by the average child. The drop was over 8% since 2004, and the mix of products advertised shifted among categories. Today children are seeing far fewer ads for soft drinks, cookies, snacks, and candy, while being exposed to more ads for soups, juices, fruits and vegetables then they were in 2004."

The Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) represents the world's leading food, beverage and consumer products companies. The association promotes sound public policy, champions initiatives that increase productivity and growth and helps to protect the safety and security of the food supply through scientific excellence. The GMA board of directors is comprised of chief executive officers from the association's member companies. The $2.1 trillion food, beverage and consumer packaged goods industry employs 14 million workers, and contributes over $1 trillion in added value to the nation's economy. For more information, visit the GMA Web site at http://www.gmabrands.com.

Grocery Manufacturers Association

CONTACT: Scott Openshaw of the Grocery Manufacturers Association,
+1-202-295-3957

Web site: http://www.gmabrands.com/