sponge bob suit

[briannell]

interesting - last time I checked the parents earned the money, and the parents bought the food. So how does sponge bob figure into this. Control yourself, or just say "no" to the kids. another pointless lawsuit.


Groups to Sue to Stop Junk Food Ads

Wednesday, January 18, 2006

By Todd Zwillich



A group of consumer organizations and individuals announced Wednesday that they will sue a major media company and a food corporation to stop junk food marketing aimed at young children.

The suit targets cereal maker Kellogg Co. and Viacom Inc., which airs millions of dollars worth of food advertisements through its Nickelodeon children’s cable television network. Nickelodeon also licenses several cartoon characters that appear on hundreds of food products and other items marketed to young children.

Kellogg makes dozens of products promoted to children, including high-sugar cereals such as Frosted Flakes and Keebler cookies.

“Nickelodeon and Kellogg engage in business practices that literally sicken our children,” says Michael F. Jacobson, executive director of the Center for Science in the Public Interest, one of the plaintiffs in the suit.

The group says it intends to file the suit in Massachusetts, which has some of the strongest consumer protection laws in the country. But the action is intended to force companies to scale back marketing of high-fat, high-sugar foods directly to children nationwide, activists say.

Advocates and medical organizations have long criticized aggressive marketing of junk food to young children, saying it contributes to poor nutrition and may play a role in promoting childhood obesity.

Massachusetts law requires would-be plaintiffs to notify defendants that they intend to sue 30 days before going to court. A letter sent to the companies says plaintiffs will ask a judge to force a ban against ads promoting foods high in sugar, fat, calories, and salt but would try to limit ads for healthier foods.

“We’re only trying to get rid of the worst of the worst,” Jacobson says.

Watchdog Group: Reduce Junk Food Ads for Kids


National Implications

But such a ban would effectively force the companies to alter advertising practices for the whole country. “This really has national implications,” says Jacobson, who added that his group was considering targeting other companies that market to young children, including fast-food chains McDonald’s and Burger King.

The CSPI was joined by two Massachusetts parents and a Boston-based nonprofit group called Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood.

“We can no longer stand by while our children’s health is sacrificed for corporate profits,” says Susan Linn, the group’s co-founder.

Food companies and fast-food restaurants together spend an estimated $10 billion per year in marketing efforts aimed at children.

CSPI has also threatened to sue beverage companies in an effort to remove high-sugar soft drinks from Massachusetts schools. The group is currently in negotiations with bottlers over a possible settlement, says Steven Gardner, a CSPI lawyer.

A 2004 report from the American Psychological Association (APA) called for curbs to advertising aimed at young children, a call that was echoed by the American Academy of Pediatrics. The APA report concludes that such advertising exploits children under 8 since most lack the ability discern an ad’s persuasive intent from a cartoon character’s usual entertainment value.

Kellogg spokeswoman Jill Saletta declined in an emailed statement to comment on the suit. “We have a longstanding commitment to marketing in a responsible manner and our messages accurately portray our products,” she writes.

In December, an Institute of Medicine report called for Congress to rein in child-targeted food marketing if companies do not substantially shift their marketing practices within two years.

Such a shift could curb the use of popular cartoon characters to promote high-sugar cereals, high-fat dinners, and other potentially unhealthy products. Such characters include the cartoon SpongeBob SquarePants, which last year garnered Nickelodeon $1.5 billion in licensing fees for food, apparel, and other products, according to the company.

Jacobson says the suit would not solve the nation’s overweight and obesity problem, which now affects an estimated one-third of all American children. “It’s one part of the solution,” he says.

Nickelodeon spokeswoman Joanna Roses also would not comment on the impending suit because the company has not yet received any legal documents. She says the network has committed to spend $30 million this year on public service announcements and campaigns promoting physical activity and healthy eating.

“Nickelodeon has been an acknowledged leader and positive force in educating and encouraging kids to live healthier lifestyles, as well as in the ongoing process of encouraging advertisers to provide more balance in their offerings, and we will continue to do so,” the company says in a statement.

Fast Food Chains Cluster Around Schools

By Todd Zwillich, reviewed by Louise Chang, MD

SOURCES: Michael Jacobson, executive director, Center for Science in the Public Interest. Report on the APA Task Force on Advertising and Children, American Psychological Association, Feb. 20, 2004. Susan Linn, co-founder, Campaign for a Commercial

[ChiOCat]

I get frustrated that all the crap has a cartoon tied to it, but I also HATE the government trying to tell private companies what they can and can't make. (Oh, wait, my husband works in the sugar industry.....)

Yes, the boys beg for it. And occsaionally we get the Sponge Bob Cheeze Its or the Shrek fruit snacks. But they are a rare and special treat.

They are slowly working to make parents ineffective, people irresponsible, and the lawyers (government) will rule all. IMHO.

[kmax]

What a letdown, I opened this topic expecting to see Rebecca in a Spongebob suit and all I get is an article about more stupid lawsuits.

I expect better next time Rebecca!

[briannell]

so so sorry I let you down Kmax just not up to snuff after this last week . I will give it the ol bobcat try next time and do my best to have an excellent post my brain is fluff anyway, or what's left of it sure is

I don't do rounds with sponge bob except in my house where i refuse to let him out of my sons room, don't want to mess up my decor - because you know the combo of pet hair, kids toys and clutter would never clash with my attempt to have a warm cozy cabin feel to my home

[BWahlberg]

OK, look at it this way;

The lawsuit is dumb, the message/objective of the lawsuit is not. Suing a cartoon IMO is a bit of a waste but look at America's health right now.

I don't know acutal stats, but over 50% of Americans are overweight, and I remember hearing something recently about how America's youth population getting more obese at a rapid rate.

Obesity is going to cost the government and taxpayers billions more dollars than smoking cigarettes will. 1/2 of America may have weight-related health issues in the future, a lot more than those who smoke or work in smoky areas.

Obesity is widely ignored as a "problem" when down the road (when its too late) things will really get expensive and ugly.

I'm overwieght right now, in fact I have been since I was 15, but I'm working on it, and it's my goal to get in a healty weight range and stay there.

Trying to get the message to kids that they should eat right is a good thing. Suing a cartoon over it, I don't think really does much at all to address the issue.

[catamaran]

It may sound strange, but I think there is an easier way to curb childhood obesity than to persecute and animated figure....TELL YOUR KIDS TO GET OFF THE COUCH AND GO OUTSIDE

[briannell]

hey mods - just read i'm honorable mention contributer above my avatar, that's almost as bad as my HS senior class voting me as "most reliable" member of the senior class in '92

guess i'll have to find some substance rather than fluff to post so i can get off the bench and play a little.

[BWahlberg]

It may sound strange, but I think there is an easier way to curb childhood obesity than to persecute and animated figure....TELL YOUR KIDS TO GET OFF THE COUCH AND GO OUTSIDE

Its more than that tough. Most school systems don't offer enough "PE" time for kids, or healthy lunches. Kids events and activities are sponsored by fast food companies. In many inner-city areas the only place for kids to go play is a McDonalds playland.

Yes, by all means, keep your kids active, limit TV or Playstation or whatever if you think it helps, but in my opinion the chips are stacked against our youth making a healthy decision.

I heard a "funny" commerical on ESPN radio about helping your kids to make the right food choices where a bunch of children list what they want for dinner every night, pizza, burgers, ice cream, candy, etc etc.

[kmax]

hey mods - just read i'm honorable mention contributer above my avatar, that's almost as bad as my HS senior class voting me as "most reliable" member of the senior class in '92

guess i'll have to find some substance rather than fluff to post so i can get off the bench and play a little.

Actually read both lines together, you are 'Honorable Mention All-Bobcatnation". See this thread for details: http://www.bobcatnation.com/bobcatboard ... php?t=2266

[ChiOCat]

I've always been heavy. I was not really taught how to eat well or encouraged to excercise.

It's not about how much of the stuff is available. When we were kids, we loved fruit roll ups even though they were just plain and simple fruit roll ups. No characters on them or anything.

It's about teaching your kids that treats are special. Not to be eaten every day.

Our daily routine includes a trip to the gym. The boys run and play on the basketball court and tot spot. They see exercise as something we do daily, and I always make time for it.

It required parental intervention, support, and guidance. If the hot school lunches are not healthy, fatty, whatever then either send a bag lunch (which I know, they can trade off for other crap) or work with the school to change their lunch.

I watched Super Size Me. We still go to McDonalds about once a week during the winter. Moderation. Out of three Happy Meals, we get one with apples to split, and the four of us share the fries out of the other two.

Believe me, I know how hard it is to be overweight, and fight it, and overcome it. But taking Sponge Bob off the fruit snacks is not going to stop obesity. A kid will still choose a plain bag of fruit snacks over an apple or some carrots or celery.

[briannell]

well I can't say I was ever considered heavy ever, minus the time I was pregnant, I could certainly use a few extra pounds (mainly in the behind ) anyway, on thread I do agree with kids needing healthier lunches at school. I hate that my 6 year old always wants to eat hot lunch, because his friends do, and he is more of a couch potato than i like in the winter with all the rain. I do try to get silly and active with the kids at home, dance around, run throughout the house, ride bikes and play outside when we can. I do my best to serve "healthy" dinners, but chicken nuggets win out. i can't starve my kids and if they wont eat pork chop at 5 PM and beg at 8:30 for a hot dog, I'm easy and would rather they eat something rather than nothing. totally WRONG, but I'm flawed as a individual, and recognize that. I don't think the cartoon characters are the problem. although if i don't buy "princess" fruit snacks Anessa raises holy hell.

i think the lawsuit is without merit, but agree with Re/Max that the ideology behind wanting to prevent obesity is correct.

[ChiOCat]

i can't starve my kids and if they wont eat pork chop at 5 PM and beg at 8:30 for a hot dog

I do! Then again, mine are younger and I can still track what they eat all day long. So when they claim to be starving, I know they're really not. Or that they had plenty to eat all day and a little starving won't hurt them.