Michelle Obama joined Disney executives today to announce an unprecedented move in the battle against childhood obesity. The media company will eliminate the advertising of unhealthy food and beverages from all of its Disney channels, the first major media company to introduce standards for food advertising on shows targeting kids and families.
Mrs. Obama called it a “game changer” that would give parents more leverage as they campaign to bring healthier foods into their kids’ diets. She reasoned that if kids aren’t bombarded with ads while watching their favorite cartoons, they would be less likely to lobby parents to shop for sugary groceries.
Under the new Disney nutrition standards, breakfast cereals will have to contain fewer than 10 grams of sugar per serving if they want to advertise on a Disney property.
“With this new initiative, Disney is asking themselves one simple question,” said the First Lady. “‘Is this good for our kids?”‘
In addition to its new advertising standards, Disney today introduced the “Mickey Check” a tool that identifies nutritious choices on menu items sold at Disney resorts in the US. By the end of 2012 the “Mickey Check” will appear on licensed foods products, on qualified recipes on Disney.com and Family.com, and on menus and select products at Disney’s Parks and Resorts.
Disney will also enhance that effort by further reducing sodium in kids’ meals and introducing new well-balanced breakfast meals.
One news report said Capri Sun drinks and “Lunchables” will not make the cut with their current ingredients.
(READ the AP story via CBS for more info on corporate efforts underway that encourage healthier diets for kids)
Hallelujiah. With 18% of our children Obese this in the US this is a great step. Nice work Michelle O and Disney!