Forum on Voluntary Principles for Marketing Food to Children

Interagency Working Group on Food Marketed to Children
May 24, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m
http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2011/05/foodmarket.shtm

The Federal Trade Commission, the Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture last month released for public comment a set of proposed voluntary principles for use by industry as a guide for marketing food to children. The four agencies’ Interagency Working Group, will host a half-day public forum in Washington, D.C. on May 24 to allow interested parties to make brief statements on the proposed voluntary principles. Due to limited seating and security considerations, all attendees must pre-register.

In an effort to combat childhood obesity and promote children’s health, Congress directed the agencies to establish the working group and develop recommendations for the nutritional quality of food marketed to children and adolescents.

In response to several requests from industry stakeholders, the deadline for written comment on the proposed principles has been extended an additional 30 days to July 14, 2011. Instructions for submitting written comments are set out in the proposed voluntary principles