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Snack FACTS Released by the Rudd Center

 

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This week, the Rudd Center released their Snack FACTS. This study evaluated advertising and branding for 90 snack foods from 43 companies “that were marketed to U.S. children and teens on TV, internet and in schools in 2014.” The study also examined advertised products with those offered through the Smart Snacks in School program. The study looked at ads by markets, and the brands advertised by companies adhering to the Children’s Food and Beverage Advertising Initiative (CFBAI).

The Rudd Center found that certain types of foods met the Smart Snacks Standards, but many that were offered at schools were different than those sold in stores. “Some brands have developed nutritionally improved versions of products that are only available for sale in schools. Also known as “look-alike” or “copycat” products, similar packaging makes them difficult to distinguish from less healthy versions sold in stores.”

The study found that companies are targeting unhealthy food advertising “directly to black and Hispanic youth, and disparities in exposure compared with white non-Hispanic youth have increased.” The study found from 2010 to 2014, snack ads viewed by young black children increased 48 percent, 95 percent by black teens.

The Snack FACTS found that many of the advertisements shown to children did not meet the CFBAI requirements. “Children’s exposure to CFBAI-company TV ads for snack food ads that were not approved for advertising to children increased 53% from 2010 to 2013.”

To read about further findings and view the full report, visit the Snack FACTS website.