Television adverts aimed at children are being heavily monitored and, according to a report released by the Department of Health last week, junk food TV advertising has fallen by 46% between 2003 and 2007.
However, during the same period print saw a 42% increase in advertising. The department did not say that there was a specific correlation between the two figures, although it warned that it will be monitoring the situation and print could still lose out in the long run.
A spokesman for the Department of Health told PrintWeek: "We are working with the industry and keeping a close eye on the progress of junk food adverts in the press. If we feel that there is not sufficient monitoring in place then we may step in, but at this time there are no plans."
When tobacco advertising was banned in the UK, television adverts were the first to go. However, in time tobacco adverts disappeared form print as well, and the same may still happen with the advertising of junk food to children.
Junk food print ads jump 42%
Companies looking to advertise junk food to children are being pushed towards print because advertising using other media is facing heavy scrutiny, according to a government report.
