Parents’ Voice Condemns “Sugary Drinks And Unhealthy Food Marketing” During The Olympics

A large group of Coca-Cola red cans stacked in a supermarket in Spain.

Advocacy group Parents’ Voice has voiced its concerns about the marketing of unhealthy food and drinks during the current Tokyo Olympics and is now calling for the end of junk food and sugary drink sponsorship in sport.

Parents’ Voice Manager Alice Pryor said: “Parents are fed up with sugary drinks and unhealthy food marketing to kids via their sporting heroes. It’s past time for the Olympics, and all sport, to set a better example for kids and ditch the junk.”

“Watching the Olympics with your family is a vivid memory for most children, evoking feelings of unity and inclusion through sport. This is not an event that should ever be accompanied by ads and sponsorships for sugary drinks, fast food and chocolate.”

The group cites Coca-Cola’s official partnership with the Australian Olympic Team, as well as its inclusion as a ‘Worldwide Olympic Partner’ as being of particular concern.

The Australian Olympic Team is also sponsored by Cadbury, while McDonald’s is a broadcast partner.

Hannah Phillips, Melbourne parent of two, shared her concern.

“I want to be able to enjoy these moments with my family, but we can’t sit through a single event without being bombarded by these unhealthy food and drink ads. It seems our only option is to not watch,” Phillips said.

“I’m concerned about the influence of this marketing on our children. Why do these companies get to market to children through their favourite athletes? I want sport to support healthy behaviours, not undermine families.”

Pryor added: “If the Australian and International Olympic Committees are not going to take steps to remove these unhealthy sponsorships, then the Australian Government must step up. One in four Australian children are now above a healthy weight. Government must set a better standard and put the health and wellbeing of Aussie kids above corporate profit.”

 




Please login with linkedin to comment

Coca Cola Tokyo Olympics

Latest News

Sydney Comedy Festival: Taking The City & Social Media By Storm
  • Media

Sydney Comedy Festival: Taking The City & Social Media By Storm

Sydney Comedy Festival 2024 is live and ready to rumble, showing the best of international and homegrown talent at a host of venues around town. As usual, it’s hot on the heels of its big sister, the giant that is the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, picking up some acts as they continue on their own […]

Global Marketers Descend For AANA’s RESET For Growth
  • Advertising

Global Marketers Descend For AANA’s RESET For Growth

The Australian Association of National Advertisers (AANA) has announced the final epic lineup of local and global marketing powerhouses for RESET for Growth 2024. Lead image: Josh Faulks, chief executive officer, AANA  Back in 2000, a woman with no business experience opened her first juice bar in Adelaide. The idea was brilliantly simple: make healthy […]