South Yorkshire to Ban Junk Food Adverts on Buses and Trams

[SheffieldForum]

South Yorkshire will join a national movement to ban junk food adverts on public transport, including buses and trams, in a bid to reduce childhood obesity. The initiative will see unhealthy food promotions removed from local services, creating healthier environments for children across the region.

Part of the "AdEnough" Campaign

The campaign, led by chef Jamie Oliver, aims to limit the constant exposure children have to junk food marketing. Oliver described the move as a "vital step" in reducing the "constant bombardment" of unhealthy food messaging that targets young people.

Rising Concerns About Childhood Obesity

Statistics show that more than one in five children in England are overweight or obese by the time they start school. In South Yorkshire, the issue is becoming increasingly urgent, with figures reflecting the national rise in childhood obesity across Sheffield, Barnsley, Doncaster, and Rotherham.

Mayor Oliver Coppard Supports the Ban

South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard is backing the initiative, joining mayors in Greater Manchester, Liverpool, and West Yorkshire.

Wider National Effort to Restrict Junk Food Ads

The ban is part of a larger national effort to tackle unhealthy food advertising. It is already in force on London’s public transport network, with other regions such as Greater Manchester and Liverpool also planning to implement the ban. In South Yorkshire, the removal of junk food adverts will be rolled out once local authorities gain greater control over bus services.

Jamie Oliver Praises the Decision

Jamie Oliver commended the regional leaders for their commitment to the campaign, stating, "It’s so brilliant to see the mayors stepping up." However, he also highlighted that "there is still a long way to go" in addressing unhealthy food advertising across the UK.

Future Plans for Junk Food Advertising

In addition to the ban on transport services, the government announced that from October 2025, online adverts for junk food will be prohibited, alongside restrictions on TV ads before 9pm. This forms part of a wider strategy to promote healthier living and tackle obesity in children.

[RollingJ]

Define 'junk food'.

 

[SheffieldForum]

9 minutes ago, RollingJ said:

Define 'junk food'.

 

 

Fortunately, the government have already done so, for the purposes of such bans:

 

Under the new rules a particular food will be banned if it meets two criteria. 

 

Firstly, if it is classified as “less healthy” on a government scoring system after its nutrients have been analysed – this includes salt, fat, sugar and protein.

Secondly, if it falls into one of 13 categories created by the government. They include:

• Soft drinks: This covers any product that contains added sugar such as cola, lemonade and squash. It also includes fruit juice, smoothies and energy drinks. 

• Savoury snacks: Crisps mainly, but this also extends to crackers, rice cakes, tortilla chips and Bombay mix. There are exemptions for flavoured nuts, dried fruit and jerky.

• Breakfast cereal: This includes granola, muesli, porridge oats and other items you would find in the breakfast aisle of a supermarket.

• Chocolates and sweets: This applies to the vast majority of items you would find listed under confectionery, but also includes popcorn and chewing gum.

• Ice cream: Dairy and non-dairy products, such as ice lollies, are covered by this as well as frozen yoghurt, sorbet and gelato.

• Cakes and cupcakes: Flapjacks, doughnuts and éclairs are also included in this category - but icing is exempted.

• Biscuits and bars: Protein and cereal bars are included, as are other products like wafers and toaster pastries.

• Morning goods: Croissants, pain au chocolat and other pastries are the main foods covered here - but this category also extends to crumpets, scones, fruit loaves and hot cross buns.

• Desserts and puddings: Custard, jelly and mousses are included, but there are exemptions for tinned fruit, cream and syrups.

• Yoghurt: Any variety that has been sweetened is covered by this category, as are non-dairy alternatives, probiotic yoghurt and drinkable varieties.

• Pizza: Plain bases and garlic bread are exempted from this, but otherwise all sizes and types of pizza are included.

• Potatoes: Plain and sweet varieties that have not been cut or cooked are exempt, but several other potato-based products are included such as chips, hash browns and croquettes.

• Ready meals: A broad category that covers anything intended to be eaten as a main meal, often after being reheated, and requires no further preparation. It also includes sandwiches and burgers.

Other foods also exempted from the ban include infant formula and baby food, weight control products, meal replacement products, food supplements and drinks used for medicinal purposes.

[RollingJ]

I've seen that before - don't know if I commented at the time, but it is so 'broad-brush' it could cover anything you don't prepare - from scratch - yourself.

[alchresearch]

Ah, Oliver the hypocrite who doesn't mind lending his name to ready meals full of fat and salt.

 

Jamie Oliver cashes in with fat-filled frozen dishes – despite once declaring war on ready meals

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/jamie-oliver-cashes-fat-filled-33717199

[MJ01]

Perhaps a better idea would be to offer free junk food on the buses - but then have the buses drive ever so slightly faster than the fatties can run, forcing them to give chase & thus lose weight

I must add that I am not a doctor

[ECCOnoob]

1 hour ago, RollingJ said:

I've seen that before - don't know if I commented at the time, but it is so 'broad-brush' it could cover anything you don't prepare - from scratch - yourself.

 

I agree. I think we had similar discussions when they were talking about the TV advertising. The list is so broad and generic  it's completely ludicrous. 

 

Oh well, parts of my legal profession will certainly be booming out of it.

 

99.9% of the stuff we eat, even home made fresh, would be argued as prepared or manufactured or manipulated in some way.  Very few of us are living in some 18th century daydream, on farmland, gayly grabbing stuff straight from the fields into  our wicker baskets, handed to Mrs Megg the Cook to lovingly prepare whilst we dress for dinner.

 

Then there is the inconsistencies eg: garlic bread is acceptable but a pre-prepared M&S salad sandwich is "junk food". 

 

Wonder if Coppard & Co will remain so smug about their latest vanity project when the taxpayers are having to dole out even more money to make up loss of advertising revenue.

 

Wonder if some of the massive 'Members' in our local government take a look on forums like this every now and then to see what their public actually think about their delusions.  

[sheffbag]

2 hours ago, SheffieldForum said:

 

Fortunately, the government have already done so, for the purposes of such bans:

 

Under the new rules a particular food will be banned if it meets two criteria. 

 

Firstly, if it is classified as “less healthy” on a government scoring system after its nutrients have been analysed – this includes salt, fat, sugar and protein.

Secondly, if it falls into one of 13 categories created by the government. They include:

• Soft drinks: This covers any product that contains added sugar such as cola, lemonade and squash. It also includes fruit juice, smoothies and energy drinks. 

• Savoury snacks: Crisps mainly, but this also extends to crackers, rice cakes, tortilla chips and Bombay mix. There are exemptions for flavoured nuts, dried fruit and jerky.

• Breakfast cereal: This includes granola, muesli, porridge oats and other items you would find in the breakfast aisle of a supermarket.

• Chocolates and sweets: This applies to the vast majority of items you would find listed under confectionery, but also includes popcorn and chewing gum.

• Ice cream: Dairy and non-dairy products, such as ice lollies, are covered by this as well as frozen yoghurt, sorbet and gelato.

• Cakes and cupcakes: Flapjacks, doughnuts and éclairs are also included in this category - but icing is exempted.

• Biscuits and bars: Protein and cereal bars are included, as are other products like wafers and toaster pastries.

• Morning goods: Croissants, pain au chocolat and other pastries are the main foods covered here - but this category also extends to crumpets, scones, fruit loaves and hot cross buns.

• Desserts and puddings: Custard, jelly and mousses are included, but there are exemptions for tinned fruit, cream and syrups.

• Yoghurt: Any variety that has been sweetened is covered by this category, as are non-dairy alternatives, probiotic yoghurt and drinkable varieties.

• Pizza: Plain bases and garlic bread are exempted from this, but otherwise all sizes and types of pizza are included.

• Potatoes: Plain and sweet varieties that have not been cut or cooked are exempt, but several other potato-based products are included such as chips, hash browns and croquettes.

• Ready meals: A broad category that covers anything intended to be eaten as a main meal, often after being reheated, and requires no further preparation. It also includes sandwiches and burgers.

Other foods also exempted from the ban include infant formula and baby food, weight control products, meal replacement products, food supplements and drinks used for medicinal purposes.

so the exceptions are

Flavoured Nuts - about 60% fats and flavoured contain added sugar and salt (source BHF)

Icing - over 60% sugar

Tinned Fruit, cream and Syrups - All contain additional or mainly consisting of sugar. remember kids, you cant have normal porridge oats in a morning but you can have toast with syrup on it because that's healthier for you

 

[RollingJ]

3 hours ago, ECCOnoob said:

 

I agree. I think we had similar discussions when they were talking about the TV advertising. The list is so broad and generic  it's completely ludicrous. 

 

Oh well, parts of my legal profession will certainly be booming out of it.

 

99.9% of the stuff we eat, even home made fresh, would be argued as prepared or manufactured or manipulated in some way.  Very few of us are living in some 18th century daydream, on farmland, gayly grabbing stuff straight from the fields into  our wicker baskets, handed to Mrs Megg the Cook to lovingly prepare whilst we dress for dinner.

 

Then there is the inconsistencies eg: garlic bread is acceptable but a pre-prepared M&S salad sandwich is "junk food". 

 

Wonder if Coppard & Co will remain so smug about their latest vanity project when the taxpayers are having to dole out even more money to make up loss of advertising revenue.

 

Wonder if some of the massive 'Members' in our local government take a look on forums like this every now and then to see what their public actually think about their delusions.  

The persons you refer to above will be perfectly happy - these crazy ideas won't affect them .

Coppard & Co are merely on a political vanity trip with zero thought as to what it means for the rest of us.

The other 'Members' in our local - and national - government , even if they did look at this and similar sources will take no notice, they are being led by short ropes held by zealots, who again, don't think beyond the next few seconds - if their attention span is even long enough.

2 hours ago, sheffbag said:

so the exceptions are

Flavoured Nuts - about 60% fats and flavoured contain added sugar and salt (source BHF)

Icing - over 60% sugar

Tinned Fruit, cream and Syrups - All contain additional or mainly consisting of sugar. remember kids, you cant have normal porridge oats in a morning but you can have toast with syrup on it because that's healthier for you

 

Utterly and totally typical of these 'official initiatives - they are thought up by brain dead 'think-tanks' - a true oxymoron - and promoted by individuals without the capability to think.

Edited September 25 by RollingJ

[redruby]

3 hours ago, sheffbag said:

so the exceptions are

Flavoured Nuts - about 60% fats and flavoured contain added sugar and salt (source BHF)

Icing - over 60% sugar

Tinned Fruit, cream and Syrups - All contain additional or mainly consisting of sugar. remember kids, you cant have normal porridge oats in a morning but you can have toast with syrup on it because that's healthier for you

 

Yes, it is ridiculous, those exceptions stood out to me too!

Also, some of the foods listed are basically just normal food.  Perhaps not the very healthiest food but fine in moderation and not the type food that appeals especially to you g people.  I sometimes wonder if the people who devise these lists think we all live on fruit and vegetables alone!