Behind the scenes
We chat to the star of the show, Stella, about the making of Food Fight!
Local voices
We showed a group of primary school children some unhealthy food and drink ads to see their true reactions. Listen to what they had to say…
As a Primary School teacher, Mitch sees first-hand the effect of unhealthy food and drink advertising on his students. Hear why he is so passionate about creating healthier environments for kids to grow up in.
Hear from the campaign spokespeople about the Food Fight campaign and why we need to protect kids from unhealthy food and drink advertising.
Asherly, Melbourne mum of four, explains how unhealthy food and drink advertising impacts her kids and why she wants to see healthier environments for them to grow up in.
Around the world
We’re not the first to propose protecting children from unhealthy food and drink advertising in places where kids commute, learn and play. In fact, it’s been done to great success around the world.
Read on for some outstanding examples of governments that put a stop to unhealthy food and drink advertising on their resources to protect children’s health, and never looked back.
New York City – Ban on unhealthy food advertising on all city owned property
In February 2022, the Mayor of New York City signed an executive order, effective immediately, requiring that all promotional materials and advertising on city property regarding food must feature healthy food. This includes any street furniture, bus and bike shelters, newsstands and phone booths.
Along with another order setting healthy standards for meals served by New York City agencies, this firms up the city’s commitment to improving the food environment and the health and wellbeing of New Yorkers.
“If we want to encourage New Yorkers to be healthier, the city must set the tone,” said Mayor Eric Adams.
City of London – Transport for London (TfL) ban on unhealthy food advertising
In 2019, the City of London introduced a ban on junk food advertising across the entire Transport for London (TfL) network – a network that sees an estimated 30 million journeys every day – as part of the city’s larger plan to tackle childhood obesity and promote healthy lifestyles.
The changes apply to advertising space on all Transport for London property, including the Underground, overground, buses, TfL Rail, trams and river services, and covers all foods and non-alcoholic drinks that are high in fat, salt and sugar (HFSS).
Despite vocal opposition from industry and opposing parties, an evaluation of the new standard over the two years following its launch, saw it considered a resounding success, with many food and drink companies continuing to advertise on the network, by instead promoting their healthier options (those not HFSS). In the 12 months following the ban, advertising revenues even increased by £2.3 million and a new study has revealed that the change was associated with an estimated 1,000 calorie decrease in energy from unhealthy food and drink purchases in people’s weekly shopping, compared to what was expected without it.
City of Amsterdam – Amsterdam Metro billboard ban on unhealthy food advertising
In 2018, the City of Amsterdam introduced a ban on all unhealthy food advertisements that target children, on billboards in all 58 subway stations across the city.
The ban applies to all advertisements for unhealthy products targeted at children up to the age of 18, to help support all children in Amsterdam to grow up in healthier environments, as part of the broader Amsterdam Healthy Weight Programme, launched in 2012.
An evaluation of the programme in 2017, found that it had led to the number of children who are overweight or obese in the country decrease by 12%. The programme also saw Amsterdam win the 2019 City European Health Award for successfully contributing to a healthier environment for children to grow up in.
Australian Capital Territory – Ban on unhealthy food advertising on the ACTION bus network
As part of the Government’s Healthy Weight Action Plan, the ACT introduced a ban on advertising for unhealthy food, alcohol and gambling on all government-run bus services and light rail, which came into effect in 2015.
The ban applies to all foods considered unhealthy under the Australian Dietary Guidelines and associated Australian Guide to Healthy Eating and works to ensure advertising on these assets ‘aligns with community values and Government objectives’.
An evaluation of the Healthy Weight Action Plan in 2019, concluded that the plan, which focuses on five key areas – healthy weight, healthy eating, active living and screen time has led to a significant increase in children practicing healthy behaviours, including drinking less sugary drinks and opting to ride or walk to school.
Queensland – Commitment to phase out unhealthy food advertising on government-owned property
In 2018, The Queensland Government announced that it would phase out junk food advertising on state-owned assets, in an effort to improve diets and reduce childhood obesity rates.
The change applies to over 2000 advertising spaces, including train stations, bus stops and road corridors across the state and covers advertising for all food and drinks that exceed the threshold for fat, salt and sugar as set out in the Australian Dietary Guidelines.
These cities have shown what is possible when we put health above profits. Now it’s Victoria’s turn to protect our kids from the processed food industry.