§ Mr. WillisTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what progress her Department has made in reviewing the code of conduct relating to food and drinks advertisements in order to encourage the promotion of healthy eating. [152521]
§ Estelle MorrisThe Department for Culture, Media and Sport has a responsibility only in relation to broadcast advertising. It is currently participating in the consultation being undertaken by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) on food promotion to children, and the Department of Health's Food and Health Action Plan group, both of which are exploring ways to promote healthy eating. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has also written to Ofcom asking them to examine the adequacy of their codes regulating the content of broadcast advertising of food, in light of the conclusions of the work undertaken by the FSA, the Department of Health and the Health Select Committee's inquiry into obesity. It is principally the responsibility of Ofcom to ensure that there is an appropriate code for the regulation of broadcast advertising and the Secretary of State looks forward to the outcome of their work.