Unilever Updates its Global Principles for Food Marketing to Children

Published on:
by KnowESG,

Unilever PLC

KnowESG_Responsible
Picture of Unilever Revisesing Global Principles for Marketing Food to Children

Unilever, the consumer goods company, announced that it updated its global principles for responsible marketing to children. It will raise standards in a rapidly evolving digital world. The company has also decided to stop marketing food and beverages to children under 16 across traditional and social media. 

The company's enhanced principles include:

  • Stop collecting data on children below 16.

  • Not to use celebrities or social media stars under 16 to woo children below 16.

  • Stop targeting children below 16 with any marketing or social media communications.

  • Limit child attraction to influencer content and provide clear and prominent notice of provisions to influencers.

  • Continue to refrain from marketing the company's brands or products in schools unless specifically requested to participate in instructional campaigns.

Unilever's food and refreshment portfolio, which includes ice cream, will be guided by these principles. January 2023 is the deadline for brands to comply with these upgraded principles.

Matt Close, President Ice Cream, Unilever, said: “Recognising the power that social media and influencer marketing can have on children’s choices, we believe it is important to raise the bar on responsible marketing to a minimum age of 16 years old across both traditional and social media."

"By making these changes, our goal is to continue to reduce children’s exposure to advertising from the food and beverage industry, and instead support parents to select appropriate treats to be enjoyed from time to time.”

Unilever was one of the first firms to implement particular standards for marketing its food and beverage goods to children in 2003. The company continued to lead the way in implementing new and enhanced concepts. Unilever declared in 2020 that it would no longer market or advertise foods and beverages to children under 12 in traditional media and under 13 in social media channels.

Some countries, like the United Kingdom and Portugal, already have laws and regulations that make it possible for these new principles to be met, fully met, or even exceeded in these countries.

Share:
esg
esg
esg
esg

Social Governance Headlines

Kerala's RT Mission Honoured by UNWTO

Kerala's RT Mission Honoured by UNWTO

SIS: A Positive Impact on 5.4 Million Lives

SIS: A Positive Impact on 5.4 Million Lives

Diageo Recognised for Inclusion and Diversity Progress

BASF Opens e3 Sustainable Cotton Enrollment

Grocers' ESG Boost: Tips for Better Reporting

ESG Tool Bridges $5.4T Emerging Markets Gap

Abris Commits to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

dss+ Launches Impact Advisory Board

Osborne Clarke Boosts Carbon Literacy

DBS and SSG Empower SMEs for Green Economy

More from Unilever PLC
Unilever Finds Influencers Drive Sustainable Living
Unilever Finds Influencers Drive Sustainable Living
Unilever and Geno have launched a $120 million venture to scale up alternative ingredients
Unilever and Geno have launched a $120 million venture to scale up alternative ingredients
Unliever appoints a Non-Executive Director
Unliever appoints a Non-Executive Director
The transition to regenerative agriculture will be accelerated by a new impact fund
The transition to regenerative agriculture will be accelerated by a new impact fund