Famous children’s characters such as Dora the Explorer may soon disappear from some commercial food packaging in The Netherlands to discourage unhealthy eating habits, food industry representatives said Thursday.
The decision was made after “public debates on the impact of advertising targeting children” as “obesity is a problem over which the food industry is greatly concerned,” the umbrella Dutch Food Industry Federation (FNLI) said.
The move, which will be a first in Europe, will see popular cartoon characters also including Miffy the bunny disappear from generic products perceived as unhealthy but which target young children with packaging.
The new measure aims to curb packaging with “licensed media characters” aimed at children up to 13 years, the FNLI—which represents 450 food industry businesses and 19 organisations, said in a statement.
“These products are placed on shelves at childrens’ eye level and are often unhealthy, containing too much salt, sugar or fats,” popular daily tabloid De Telegraaf added… Read More>>
Source: Medical Xpress
