Australian Association of National Advertisers hits out at South Australian ban on unhealthy food and drink ads

Advertisements for ham salad sandwiches will soon be banned from public transportation in South Australia in a fresh push to roll back childhood and adult obesity.

The ban, set to come into effect from July 1, prohibits a range of junk food items from being displayed on Adelaide’s buses, trains and trams, including processed meats like ham.

Chocolate, lollies, confectionary, desserts, ice creams, soft drinks and chips will all be banned from display alongside processed meats, with the measure designed to limit children’s exposure to unhealthy food and drink advertising.

But the Australian Association of National Advertisers is up in arms about what it calls a “blanket ban”.

“As it stands, this policy bans all processed meats, which means a simple ham salad sandwich can’t be advertised.” AANA CEO Josh Faulks said.

“This simply doesn’t make sense and the government should be making evidence-based decisions, not blanket bans that don’t align with nutritional science.”

The peak body warns charities and businesses could be negatively impacted by the ban.

“The policy bans all advertising showing those banned food or drink items.

“For example, an ad celebrating the anniversary of a children’s charity which depicts a child with a birthday cake would be banned,” Mr Faulks said.

“The Tasting Australia event can no longer show images of charcuterie boards or pastries in their advertising.

“Under this policy, businesses that have nothing to do with the food or beverage industry will find advertising in South Australia harder.”

The AANA has confirmed with NewsWire it opposes all advertising bans for food and beverages.

If the ban comes into effect, the AANA wants the government to adopt what it calls a “science-based approach” by using nutrient profiling scoring criteria to determine which foods should be restricted.

Some 63 per cent of adults and 35 per cent of children across South Australia are overweight or obese, government figures show.

Health Minister Chris Picton previously said the ban was a “sensible step” to a “healthier South Australia”.

“Food habits and relationships established early in life have a lasting impact on food habits and health outcomes of adults,” he said in January.

“The rising rates of obesity are concerning, which is why we have developed an evidence-based policy to restrict the advertising of unhealthy food and drinks on state government buses and trams.

“This policy recognises that the cumulative exposure of unhealthy food and drink advertising influences a child’s food preferences and intake and the associated ‘pester power’ children use to persuade parents.”

Cancer Council SA prevention and advocacy manager Christine Morris said unhealthy food and drink items were also linked to cancer.

“We know that minimising unhealthy food and drink advertising can lead to better health outcomes for everyone,” she said.

“Our research shows that forming the foundations of positive nutrition preferences in children is a big step in overall cancer prevention.

“We heartily welcome this ban as a positive move towards a healthier community.”