FTC: Kids target of $1.6 billion in food ads

By KEVIN FREKING , Associated Press Writer, Medicine & Health / Health

Max Robinson, 5, prepares to eat an Oreo cookie, which is made by Kraft Foods, in Palo Alto, Calif., Monday, July 28, 2008. Kraft Foods Inc. reported growth in the second quarter Monday, as consumers, undeterred by price increases, abandon restaurants for less costly meals at home and the company benefits from its restructuring plan. The nation\'s largest food and beverage maker is also benefiting from price increases, saying it has raised its prices, on average, 7 percent in the most recent quarter. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)

(AP) -- Imagine Superman promoting fresh fruits and vegetables instead of a cereal. Children are confronted with such a barrage of advertising for food and drink - much of it unhealthy - that the entertainment industry should take steps to tie popular TV and movie characters to more nutritional products, the Federal Trade Commission says.

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Posted by lowbatteries 07/30/08 18:22

Not rated yet.

Kids will always prefer junk food over healthy food - the advertising isn't designed to give Fritos an advantage over carrots - its designed to give Fritos an advantage over, say, Cheetos.

You can't expect the market to promote what is healthiest, or necessarily what is unhealthiest, they will always promote what is most profitable. Consumer demand is for junk food, so marking will be in junk food. If consumers start trying to decide between carrots and celery sticks, or between Brand A and Brand X of carrots, then you'll see the Superhero endorsements start to weigh in on healthy foods.