MPs propose ban on fast food outlets near schools to fight obesity
10 reported1 conflicting
A cross-party group of MPs is calling for a ban on fast food chains like KFC opening near schools and for a prohibition on junk food advertising on billboards and public transport, according to a report from the Commons health committee. The MPs argue that bold action is needed because hundreds of initiatives since 1992 have failed to address rising obesity levels, with 66% of adults and 28% of 13- to 15-year-olds in England now overweight or obese. The report criticizes the Labour government for not following through on pledges to tackle bad diets. Committee chair Layla Moran, a Liberal Democrat MP, urged ministers to curb what she described as the constant bombardment of promotions and adverts for unhealthy food. The MPs recommend giving local councils greater powers to stop fast food takeaways near schools, citing loopholes in planning policy that allow outlets to be classed as restaurants. The report also notes that KFC took legal action against 43 councils seeking to restrict fast food openings and won in more than half of those cases.
What’s reported
The Commons health committee recommends banning fast food outlets from opening near schools and banning junk food advertising on billboards and public transport.
Two-thirds of adults (66%) and 28% of 13- to 15-year-olds in England are overweight or obese.
The report criticizes the Labour government for not following through on pledges to introduce policies to tackle bad diets.
Layla Moran, Liberal Democrat MP and committee chair, highlighted the widespread advertising and availability of unhealthy food.
MPs say firms exploit loopholes in national planning policy to challenge councils’ efforts to stop fast food openings near schools.
In 2015, Gateshead council began restricting fast food outlets near schools and in poor areas, which it said helped cut childhood obesity locally.
KFC took legal action against 43 councils seeking similar restrictions and won in more than half of those cases.
About £680m a year is spent advertising food and non-alcoholic drinks on television, radio, and outdoors.
The Advertising Association stated that advertising does not contribute to long-term changes in obesity or BMI and that restrictions would not improve the nation’s health.
Other recommendations include forcing supermarkets to display fruit and vegetables prominently, requiring front-of-pack traffic light labels on all food, and compelling food producers to reveal the percentage of sales from healthy and unhealthy products.
Conflicting accounts
The Advertising Association stated that decades of research show advertising does not contribute to long-term changes in obesity or BMI and that advertising restrictions would not improve the nation’s health, contradicting the MPs’ position.
Key figures
Layla Moran, Liberal Democrat MP and chair of the Commons health committee
Keir Starmer, Labour prime minister (government criticized in the report)
KFC (company named in legal actions)
Gateshead council (cited as example of local restrictions)
Sources: The Guardian
