Junk food apps under fire in Parents’ Jury Fame and Shame Awards over digital advertising

Holly Ife
November 22, 2012
Herald Sun

HUNGRY Jack’s and Chupa Chups have been slammed for their digital advertising of junk food to children.

In a first this year, the Parents’ Jury assessed apps, due to growing concern about the industry’s use of digital media to target children and teens.

They named Hungry Jack’s Makes it Better app and Chupa Chups Lol-a-Coaster app as joint winners of the Digital Ninja Award in their 2012 Fame and Shame Awards.

“Many kids today are more tech savvy than their parents, but they’re no less vulnerable to sophisticated food marketing techniques,” said Parents’ Jury campaign manager Corrina Langelaan.

“Something that looks like a free and fun game like Lol-a-Coaster in fact contains what many parents will consider insidious forms of branding,” Ms Langelaan said.

“The Hungry Jack’s Makes it Better App is a perfect example of a Digital Ninja. With its free junk food offers, this app is simple, effective and appealing. Encouraging a young audience to consume unhealthy food anytime is achieved via a simple shake of their phone.”

Kellogg’s TV advertising was singled out for a third year running for encouraging “pester power”, with its advertisement for LCM bars.

“Not only does it appear as though having an LCM in your lunchbox makes kids more popular amongst their peers, the fact that this child appears to have one every school day suggests it is more than just an occasional treat,” Ms Langelaan said.

“It’s tough for parents to say no all the time.”

Aussie Bananas got the thumbs up for its Nature’s Energy Snack campaign.

Clare Hughes of the Cancer Council NSW, which hosts the Fame and Shame Awards, believes they are necessary to highlight the failure of industry self-regulation.

“Cancer Council’s recent research showed that the food industry’s so-called responsible marketing initiatives have not been successful in reducing unhealthy food marketing to children. The fact that after eight years we still need to have these awards is just further evidence that food advertising is still creating pester power in Australian homes,” Ms Hughes said.

A Kellogg’s Australia spokesperson defended the LCM advertisement, saying it was a simple concept that highlights to parents that kids enjoy a treat in their lunchbox.

“The Parents’ Jury continues to outline its belief that treats are unacceptable. The group is entitled to its opinion but we, like many Australian parents, do not share it,” the spokesperson said.