The Walt Disney Company, in an effort to address concerns about entertainment's role in childhood obesity, says all products advertised on its child-focused television channels, radio stations and Web sites must comply with a strict new set of nutritional standards.
The restrictions on ads extend to Saturday-morning cartoons on ABC stations owned by Disney. Under the new rules, products like Capri Sun drinks and Kraft Lunchables meals — both current Disney advertisers — along with a wide range of candy, sugared cereal and fast food, will no longer be acceptable advertising material.
The initiative stretches into other areas. For instance, Disney will reduce the amount of sodium by 25 percent in the 12 million children's meals served annually at its theme parks, and create what it calls fun public service announcements promoting child exercise and healthy eating.
The move follows the announcement last week of a plan by New York City to ban the sale of large sodas and other sugary drinks amid increasing concern about childhood obesity in America.
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