GMA Applauds Initiative Agreement on Child-aimed Food Ads

The Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) expressed its approval of the agreement by member companies to update and bolster the Children’s Food and Beverage Advertising Initiative (CFBAI) through the adoption of uniform nutrition criteria for foods advertised to children.

“The uniform standards announced [July 14] strengthen CFBAI by establishing specific limits for calories, saturated fat, trans fat, sodium and total sugars,” noted the Washington-based trade group. “These changes are part of our industry’s constant effort to review our products and programs in an effort to keep pace with constantly changing consumer trends and nutrition science.”

GMA advocates a system of food and beverage industry self-regulation in regard not only to marketing products to children, but also to the introduction of “innovative products, tools and information to help consumers achieve and maintain a healthy diet” According to the organization, these measures are having a positive effect.

“Due in large part to the work of CFBAI, children see more ads for cereals and dairy products than any other categories,” GMA said. “Ads for fruit juices have almost tripled, while ads for cookies, candy and soda have declined dramatically on children's programming.”