Markets Wired

The Federal Trade Commission is seeking comments on a proposal to compel information from major food and beverage manufacturers, distributors, and marketers, as well as quick-service restaurant companies.  The proposed orders are outlined in a Federal Register notice published by the agency.  The orders seek data about the companies’ spending and marketing activities targeting children and adolescents, as well as nutritional information for food and beverage products that the companies market to these consumers.

In July 2008, the FTC published a report entitled Marketing Food to Children and Adolescents:  A Review of Industry Expenditures, Activities, and Self-Regulation.  The report analyzed 2006 expenditures and marketing activities directed to children.  The Commission intends to use 2009 marketing and nutritional data collected to analyze changes in food marketing to children that have occurred over time, and plans to issue a follow-up report.
 
Comments are due to the Commission on or before June 24, 2010.  The Federal Register notice outlining the proposed orders requiring information and detailing how to submit public comments can be found on the FTC’s website and as a link to this press release.  (FTC File No. P094511; The staff contacts are Carol Jennings and Sarah Botha, Bureau of Consumer Protection, 202-326-3010 or 202-326-2036; see press release dated September 21, 2009 at http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/09/food.shtm.)

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