Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) President and CEO Pamela G. Bailey issued the following statement in response to the Federal Trade Commission’s latest report on child-directed food and beverage advertising.

“The Federal Trade Commission’s latest report on child-directed advertising affirms the progress that industry is making under its self-regulatory framework, and that self-regulation is an effective mechanism for ensuring that the products seen on children’s programming are foods and beverages that help families achieve a healthy diet.

“America’s food and beverage companies share First Lady Michelle Obama’s goal of solving obesity within a generation, and are committed to providing consumers with the products, tools and information they need to achieve and maintain a healthy diet. This includes an unwavering commitment to responsible marketing practices.

“Working through the Children’s Food and Beverage Advertising Initiative (CFBAI), the food and beverage companies that account for the vast majority of child-directed marketing in the U.S. have implemented robust, voluntary changes that have changed the marketing landscape. As a result, today virtually 100 percent of CFBAI members’ advertisements seen on children’s programming promote healthier diet choices and better-for-you products. 

“In keeping with our industry’s culture of continuous improvement, CFBAI commitments have evolved to account for digital and social media, including Web sites, video games, mobile apps and word of mouth advertising.  In July 2011, CFBAI members adopted rigorous nutrition criteria so that all products marketed by CFBAI participants on children’s programs meet strict standards for calorie, sugar, fat and sodium content.”