Transport for London (TfL) continues to promote junk food despite ban
A public consultation found 82% of Londoners support a junk food advertising ban, which was backed by public health experts.
The February 2019 ban on the advertising of junk food across the TfL advertising estate including underground, rail and buses, was enforced to tackle childhood obesity. London has one of the highest rates of childhood obesity in Europe, with 40% of children in year six being overweight or obese.
According to the TfL advertising policy they will not approve ads, which ‘promotes (directly or indirectly) food or non-alcoholic drink which is high in fat, salt and/or sugar (‘HFSS’ products)’.
LearnBonds.com took pictures of adverts on the underground on 4 March, which displayed images of KFC burgers sponsored by food delivery service Just Eat.
The TfL website stated they may make exceptions for advertised HRSS products, for instance if advertisers can provide evidence to show the product doesn’t contribute to childhood obesity.