| Comment Number: | 516960-00005 |
| Received: | 6/6/2005 12:08:37 AM |
| Organization: | Fresno Alliance for Physical Education and Athletics |
| Commenter: | Joseph Herzog |
| State: | CA |
| Agency: | Federal Trade Commission |
| Rule: | Food Marketing to Kids Workshop |
| Docket ID: | To Be Added |
| No Attachments |
Comments:
It is clear that the food and beverage industry accept their share of responsibililty for influencing the dietary habits of children. Their current practices of marketing "junk food" and high sugar/calorie beverages to children, especially on television, can only influence children to make choices that have life long negative consequences. Having been a physical education teacher for 36 years, I have watched childrens eating habits deteriorate as massive marketing campaigns saturate the media. One only has to have seen the McDonalds add, "Baby's First French Fry", shown during the Salt Lake Winter Olympics to know just how egregious their practices can be. I have serious doubts that the food and beverage industry will be willing to do serious self regulation, but am willing to give them a short (very short) period of time to adjust their practices. The obesity/diabetes pandemic is killing our children. Unfortunately, as with tobacco, it does so relatively slowly, but at great cost. Our children deserve better and it falls to us as adults to see that our children are given their inherent opportunity to grow up in a fit and healthy fashion. It is time, long since overdue, for us as adults to stop profiting off of the ill health of our children. I urge you in the very strongest possible terms to direct the food and beverage industry to stop using children's programing to market high caloric foods and beverages. If they have any moral sense of responsibilty, which at this point, I seriously doubt, then they will take the full measure of their responsibity. If this industry does not step forward and promote willing change, than I would support legislation that would force them to change their practices. Thank you, Joseph E. Herzog, Chair, Region 28, Calif. Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. President, Fresno Alliance for Phys. Educ. and Athletics Exec. Board, Fresno Unified Healthy Schools Environment Policy Committee.