Tunnocks slams UK Government over TV advert ban
But junk food advertisements are soon to be banned from airing before the TV watershed as part of the government's drive to improve public health
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TUNNOCK'S bosses have slammed plans to ban TV ads for their tasty treats until after 9pm.
The iconic company, based in Uddingston, Lanarkshire, are famed for their snowballs, teacakes and caramel logs which are exported around the globe.
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Tunnock's chiefs have hit out at the UK Government over a TV advert restriction
Credit: Les Gallagher - The Sun Glasgow
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The historic confectionary firm is renowned for its teacakes
Credit: John Kirkby - The Sun Glasgow
But junk food advertisements are soon to be banned from airing before the TV watershed as part of the government's drive to improve public health.
In addition, online ads for products that are high in fat, salt and sugar will be banned altogether.
In an interview, Fergus Loudon, sales director at Tunnock's, said: 'What we really need to guard against is, as an industry, being blamed for societal problems which are most definitely not of our making.
'Obesity is a serious issue but it's an issue that only education will address.
'Banning chocolate biscuit ads on TV before nine o'clock to prevent obesity is rather like banning foreign holidays to prevent skin damage from too much sun.'
In February, Tunnock's took a swipe at rival brands that reduced the size of their products in a new advertising campaign.
The biscuit firm teamed up with Taggart star Alex Norton to investigate other chocolate makers "getting away with murder" by shrinking their bars.
The actor played the role of a detective probing the growing trend of "shrinkflation" in the confectionery industry.
Westminster plans to introduce the new AD restrictions on October 1 2025 across the UK.
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A recent survey by Obesity Action Scotland showed a majority of Scots would support a ban on junk food advertising before 9pm.
The poll, which was carried out by YouGov on behalf of the campaign group, found 74 per cent supported a ban on junk food adverts on TV before 9pm, with 69 per cent supporting a similar ban online and 66 per cent a ban on adverts outside the home before 9pm.
A UK Government spokesperson said: "Obesity robs our kids of the best possible start in life, sets them up for a lifetime of health problems, and costs the NHS billions.
"This government is taking action now to end the targeting of junk food ads at kids, across both TV and online.
"This is the first step to deliver a major shift in the focus of healthcare from sickness to prevention, and towards meeting our government's ambition to give every child a healthy, happy start to life."
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