Brussels warns on junk food
By George Parker in Brussels and John Mason in London
Published: January 20 2005 02:00 | Last updated: January 20 2005 02:00
The food industry has been given a year to stop advertising junk food to children and improve product labelling or face legislation in the European Union.
Markos Kyprianou, EU health and consumer affairs commissioner, warned in a Financial Times interview that urgent action was needed to tackle Europe's obesity problem, particularly among the young.
Mr Kyprianou believed self-regulation in the food industry was the quickest and most effective way to tackle the problem. But he warned the European Commission would resort to legislation if progress proved disappointing.
He said: "The signs from the industry are very encouraging, very positive. But if this doesn't produce satisfactory results, we will proceed to legislation."
The Commission can initiate legislation using rules covering the EU single market - under which it recently banned newspaper tobacco advertising - or on consumer protection grounds.
Brussels also wants to encourage initiatives to promote healthy lifestyles, involving national governments, the food industry and health bodies.
Mr Kyprianou said that until recently Europe "considered obesity to be a US problem . .. we made fun of Americans in a way. It is a European problem now".
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