South Africa health minister takes aim at "junk food"

Sep 13, 2011, 7:47 GMT

Johannesburg - South Africa's health minister says he will ban the marketing of 'junk food' to children, as obesity is becoming more common at younger ages, according to media reports on Tuesday.

After many Western countries have taken steps against junk foods, Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi warned that Africa could become a 'dumping ground' for companies looking to market unhealthy products.

'Our children are bombarded with adverts to eat potato chips, fizzy drinks, sweets and junk food,' said the minister, speaking at a health summit in Johannesburg.

Motsoaledi said he might also aim to prohibit handing out free toys with fast food meals.

He told the parley it would be better if fruits and vegetables were made cheaper and 'junk food more expensive,' the Times website reported.

About 23 per cent of South African children are classified as obese, raising the cost of health care. The government recently announced plans to introduce a nationwide social health care scheme to cover all residents, though it is still trying to secure funding.

The authorities have already targeted alcohol advertising and are looking to restrict salt contents, after the health department released a study saying 6,500 deaths a year can be prevented by just reducing the salt in breads.