Around 60 organizations from science, consumer protection and child protection have called on the FDP to do more to promote healthier nutrition for young people. In an open letter, the alliance demands that the Free Democrats support planned restrictions on advertising unhealthy food to children.
With its rejection, the party is “going against the unanimous consensus in science and among specialist organizations,” according to the letter addressed to the FDP chairman Christian Lindner, which the “Süddeutsche Zeitung” (online) has received in advance. This means “a clear rejection of the health protection of children and young people”. The signatories include the AOK Federal Association, the Professional Association of Paediatricians, the German Diabetes Society, the German Cancer Research Center and the German Children’s Fund.
The SPD, FDP and Greens have generally agreed on advertising restrictions in the coalition agreement. These should apply to advertising for foods with high sugar, fat and salt content, which is shown in programs and formats for under 14 year olds. In the FDP, however, there are reservations about the draft law by Federal Food Minister Cem Özdemir (Greens). After criticism, the minister tightened the planned restrictions again at the end of June. Advertising bans for products with too much sugar, fat and salt should now be concentrated on times when a particularly large number of children watch television.
