The campaign                 

Consumers International (CI) is campaigning to stop the marketing of unhealthy food and drinks to children under the age of 16.

We believe that an international code will provide a legal base to take action against companies that promote unhealthy food and non-alcoholic beverages to children.

On World Consumer Rights Day 2008 (15 March), the campaign was officially launched. On the same day this website and the CI Code were also launched.
 

What we are doing now

World Consumer Rights Day 2009 (WCRD) was a big success and we are still gathering information on what members have done.

We have also launched a new report New media - same old tricks. 

You can also keep up to date with our current activities on our blog or by subscribing to the campaign news. Also have a look at other ways of how to get involved.

What we have done so far

Spring 2007
In the spring of 2007, we started to consult CI member organisations about the problem of food marketing to kids, existing policies and regulations and what should be included in an international code.

Based on this, CI and the International Obesity Taskforce (IOTF) produced a model code on the marketing of food and drink to children.

May 2007
CI played an integral part in the passing of a highly significant World Health Organization (WHO) resolution at the World Health Assembly (WHA), which took place in Geneva from 14-23 May 2007.

Through the lobbying of countries by CI and its member organisations, CI contributed to the passing of a resolution that has committed the WHO to: “promote responsible marketing including the development of a set of recommendations on marketing of foods and non-alcoholic beverages to children”.

2008
CI and its members continued to lobby for the WHO to adopt a robust international code at the WHO Executive Board in January 2008.

At the WHA in May 2008 the CI Executive joined the lobbying efforts and CI co-hosted with the UK Government a side meeting on the marketing of food to children. CI members also attended several regional health assemblies between September and October.

Since the launch of the campaign CI has also published two reports, Junk Food Trap and Cereal Offences, highlighting how companies market their unhealthy products to children.

2009
Following the WHA in May 2008 the WHO announced a consultation process to help develop the set of recommendations called for in the resolution. CI member organisations are encouraged to take part. This consultation process is now underway and is expected to result in a set of recommendations being put before the WHO Executive Board in January 2010.

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WCRD 2009
You Tube – Lunchbox Challenge