Children ‘targeted’ by junk food ads

PARENTS need to “open their eyes” to how their young children are being targeted by junk food advertisers throughout the day, according to an international food policy expert.

Sue Davis, the chief policy adviser with consumer watchdog Which!, said increasingly sophisticated methods are being employed by marketing companies to increase sales of foods high in sugar, fat and salt.

!Free games and downloads on children’s websites are being sponsored by food companies while social networking sites like Bebo and Facebook are now also routinely targeted.