Yet another major food producer is voluntarily taking steps to avoid marketing sweet, fatty and/or salty food to youngsters. ConAgra says it is setting up nutrition guidelines for advertisement going on programs aimed at children aged 12 or less, and should have something ready for implementation early in 2008. Congressional point man for the project is Ed Markey (D-MA), who said, "I want to commend ConAgra for its voluntary commitment, which indicates that ConAgra recognizes its responsibility to children and the importance of taking steps to combat the childhood obesity epidemic. As childhood obesity is a serious public health issue, it is vital that food and beverage marketers adopt socially responsible marketing strategies. I look forward to reviewing the full details of ConAgra’s new criteria."
