What you should know
- A New York bill seeks to protect children from junk food companies that promote false or misleading advertisements for junk food
- This legislation, introduced by Senator Zellnor Myrie and known as Prevention of Predatory Marketing Act, S.213 / A.4424(PMPA), was approved by the state Senate on Tuesday and points out that this type of advertising leads to health problems and a shorter life expectancy.
- Under the legislation, nearly a third of New York’s children are obese or overweight, leading to health disparities and shorter life expectancy.
NEW YORK — A New York bill seeks to protect children from junk food companies that promote false or misleading junk food ads.
The law aims to combat the food industry that spends billions advertising unhealthy food that is primarily targeted at minors.
This legislation, introduced by Senator Zellnor Myrie and known as Prevention of Predatory Marketing Act, S.213 / A.4424(PMPA, for its acronym in English), was approved by the state Senate on Tuesday and points out that this type of advertising generates health problems and a shorter life expectancy by leading people, mainly minors, to eat this type of food.
Now, Senator Zellnor Myrie is asking the Assembly to pass it for Governor Kathy Hochul to sign into law.
“New York has never hesitated to restrict misleading or false product advertising, especially when it comes to harmful or unhealthy products that are marketed specifically to children,” said Senator Myrie this year. “Junk food is no different. Ad campaigns don’t mention it, but these foods contribute to lifelong health disparities in communities like mine.”
The PMPA will expand the definition of “false and misleading” advertising, which is already illegal under state law, to include ads for unhealthy foods specifically targeted at children. “Large corporations that sell unhealthy foods long ago figured out the most effective ways to target their messages directly to children,” Senator Myrie concluded.
The bill reads that the legislature determines that children can be deceived and manipulated with this marketing so that they acquire habits for life and therefore, unfair and deceptive advertising must be regulated accordingly.
According to Myrie, nearly a third of New York’s children are obese or overweight, leading to health disparities and shorter life expectancy. These problems are more pronounced in communities of color.
Unhealthy food companies spend billions on research and marketing, and target young people with advertising for their products.
Research shows that children are especially susceptible to marketing tactics Because they are still forming their personal preferences and habits, they are less likely to practice moderation and can easily become addicted to the immediate gratification of eating unhealthy foods.
For a bill to become law it has to be passed by the state Senate and Assembly and then signed by the governor.
