AP News, March 5th, 2007
Malaysian authorities may ban fast food advertisements on children's television shows to help curb obesity and diet-linked diseases, the health minister said Monday.
"The move can be regarded as an educational effort to raise the public's awareness about the importance of eating nutritious food instead of relying on fast food," Health Minister Chua Soi Lek told a news conference after holding talks with representatives of the fast food and advertising industries.
The proposed ban would likely exclude newspapers, magazines and theaters in this Southeast Asian country, as well as television shows whose viewers are mostly over 12 years old, Chua said, clarifying recent reports that the ministry wanted a total ban on fast food advertisements.
Cabinet ministers soon plan to discuss the suggestion and other new regulations, such as forcing fast food firms to clearly label their products with calorie content charts, Chua said.
"The health of 26 million people in Malaysia will override any losses" that fast food businesses might face, Chua said following the talks, which comprised executives from McDonald's, KFC, Burger King, Pizza Hut and other companies.
Fast food restaurants are common in Malaysia's shopping malls and at rest stops throughout the country's highways.
Officials have said that nearly 40 percent of Malaysia's population is obese, up from 20 percent a decade ago. Many people also suffer from problems such as hypertension and diabetes.
Azmir Jaafar, managing director of McDonald's Malaysia, said fast food officials plan to hold further meetings with the government to help fine-tune the proposals over the next several weeks, stressing that the sector is unlikely to suffer a severe financial impact as long as a total advertising ban is not enforced.
"We're prepared to work together in engagement and dialogue" with the government, Azmir told reporters.
Research shows that Malaysian city residents visit McDonald's outlets an average of 2.6 times per month, Azmir added.
The Health Ministry says its fast food industry proposals form part of wide-ranging campaigns to encourage Malaysians to cultivate habits such as exercising, reducing stress and staying away from cigarettes and excessive alcohol.
