Obesity task force waits out food companies’ promises

Postponed to incorporate new practices that members of the Children’s Food and Beverage Advertising Initiative unveiled last month, the FCC’s report on media and childhood obesity will now be released in September. The CFBAI is a voluntary, self-regulatory program implemented by 10 major food companies to overhaul how they market to kids.

New York state cracks down on violent vidgames

Proposed state legislation in New York is calling for a ban of violent video games sales to anyone under 17, which could go into effect this summer. The restriction would ban selling or renting to kids any games that depict depraved violence or indecent images deemed harmful to minors. The legislation also calls for an advisory council on interactive media and youth violence to review the Entertainment Software Rating Board’s rating system.

Malaysia next up to ban food ads on kids TV

The Malaysian government is planning to ban fast-food commercials during kids TV programming. Fast-food restaurants will also be required to label the cholesterol, fat and sugar content of their products. The country’s health minister, Chua Soi Lek, said in a statement that the ban aims to reduce obesity-related health problems such as heart disease, diabetes and hypertension. Chua adds that it will be implemented slowly, with ‘reasonable time’ given for companies to honor existing advertising contracts.