Top doctors want ban on junk food ads, celeb campaigns targeting children: Why this works

Indian doctors and health experts are urging the government to ban junk food advertisements targeting children, warning that aggressive marketing is fueling a rise in diet-related non-communicable diseases. Their demands include a 6 am–11 pm advertising watershed, mandatory front-of-pack warning labels, restrictions on celebrity endorsements and child-directed promotions, and a ban on sugary beverages and unhealthy foods in schools.

The statement, titled "Take the Lead: Ban the Advertisements of Junk Food Products," highlights the urgent need for action, citing a growing obesity crisis among both adults and children. India's Economic Survey suggests implementing a similar ban, warning that unrestricted marketing of high-fat, sugar, and salt products could lead to a staggering 8.3 crore obese children by 2035.