In an effort to address rising child obesity rates, New York lawmakers advanced a bill on Wednesday that targets so-called “predatory” marketing of unhealthy foods towards children.
The proposed bill expands the existing definition of “false and misleading” advertisements to include the promotion of unhealthy foods aimed at minors. It also seeks to foster education about locally sourced, nutritious foods among children.
State Sen. Zellnor Myrie emphasized the need for such regulations, citing research about deceptive and predatory advertising practices by the food industry that disproportionately affect children, particularly in communities of color.
The bill’s advancement in the Senate Health Committee indicates New York’s commitment to fight the epidemic of childhood obesity, where a third of children in the state are considered overweight or obese.
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