The Goodies and the Baddies of the Kids Food Industry

Annoucing the Goodies and the Baddies of the Kids Food Industry

McDonalds and Coca Cola are the baddies, Weetbix and All good bananas are the goodies, in the first 2013 Munch Awards.

McDonalds received some tough news to swallow today as it was named as having one of New Zealand’s Worst kids food marketing campaign.  The campaign was for their numerous Happy Meal campaigns that link rewarding a child with a toy and unhealthy food choices.   It is a ‘smoke and mirrors’ advertising as they promote (so called) fun healthy meals with a free toy to kids.  Below are some voter comments.
‘Nothing happy about Macdonalds for kids!’
‘Because it encourages children to make unhealthy food choices so they can get the toys.’

Some healthy news was given to Sanitarium Weetbix for having the Best kids food marketing campaign.  The campaign related to encouraging kids to eat a healthy breakfast and compete in local triathlons.  ‘The Weet-Bix Kids TRYathlon inspires children to get moving in a friendly and supportive environment where the emphasis is on enjoying the experience as part of an active lifestyle rather than competition.’ Below are some voter comments.

‘Weetbix has always been in our lives. Weetbix no additives and no sugar. Actually a reasonably healthy product, true to the ad.’

‘A real kiwi kids campaign. Promotes exercise for general well being. They put their money up front to support what has become great local annual event for our families.’

Parents from around New Zealand also voted in Coca Cola as the Worst kids food product and All Good Bananas as the Best kids food product.  See voter comments below.

‘Made out to be ok for younger people, when it's really really really not.’
‘Zero nutritional value and detracts from the nutritional value of other foods eaten!’
‘Good for kids where they're grown as well as for kids here.’
‘Healthy, natural, compostable packaging, ethical and yummy.’

The final two categories celebrated top New Zealand Kids food bloggers (except for the www.munchcooking.com which was excluded for conflict of interest reasons) being Home Grown Kitchen and the Best kids kitchen product being Kai Carriers.

Tonight the website will display the results www.munchawards.co.nz.  Also the nominees will be contacted about the results.  We will also be asking for comments from those companies who have won a ‘worst’ category award.

What are the 2013 Munch Awards?

About the Munch Awards

The Munch Awards aim to raise awareness of the following;
• What foods are good and bad for our kids
• The techniques that advertisers use to  promote unhealthy food to our kids
• To recognise the advertisements that promotes healthy food to cildren in a fun and appealing way
• What kitchen products are good for our kids
• The best of what parents have to say about kids food

The Awards give people a chance to have their say about the food industry in relation to our kids. In September 2013 the people and members of Munch have been nominating examples of the best and worst in the categories below.  Then in October 2013 the people who have visted our online site have voted. www.munchawards.co.nz.  

Some general facts:

• According to research, obese children have a 25-50% chance of becoming obese adults and this chance increases to 78% for obese teens.
• In Australia research undertaken by the Obesity Policy Coalition suggests that nearly 9 in 10 people are in favour of the government introducing stronger restrictions to reduce the amount of unhealthy food and drink advertising seen by children.

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