EASA is one of many stakeholders at the European and international levels advocating for responsible food and drinks advertising.
The issue of food advertising is debated on many platforms and on many levels. EASA follows closely the debate in the EU Platform for Action on Diet, Physical Activity and Health. This platform was set up in 2005 by the European Commission to bring stakeholders together to make commitments in the field of diet and nutrition. EASA also follows the World Health Organization discussion on obesity, children and the impact of marketing.
Following the importance of ensuring high standards of commercial communication in this field, the International Chamber of Commerce updated in 2019 its 2004 Framework for Responsible Food and Beverage Marketing Communications. Bringing together relevant articles from its International Codes of Advertising Practice and of Sales Promotion, the Framework provides a clear interpretation of existing rules for advertising food and beverages. Most self-regulatory organisations in EASA membership have adopted these guidelines.
The European Commission published its European Beating Cancer Plan in February 2021, complemented in November 2021 by an Implementation Roadmap. As regards HFSS (high salt fat sat sugar) products issues, the Roadmap plans an evaluation of the 2014-2020 EU Action Plan on Childhood Obesity by 2023 and some unspecified follow-up actions.