[Iclickart]
SEOUL, Jan. 09 (Aju News) -- In an effort to curb obesity especially among children, South Korea's cabinet proposed a new bill to restrict TV commercials advertising unhealthy food.
The cabinet approved a revised bill on children's eating habit that suggests all TV commercial films advertising unhealthy food to be banned from TV.
The current law prohibits TV commercials on unhealthy food for two hours from 5:00 pm. The unhealthy food includes high calorie, low-nutrient and high caffeine menus.
Government officials suggested that constant regulations on TV advertisement are needed to improve the daily diet pattern of children.
The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety has taken steps to reduce the average amount of sugar intake, urging food companies to take voluntary measures and come up with low-sugar products while substituting sugar with artificial sweeteners. Last year's survey showed that 31.5 percent of South Korean men and women aged 19 or more were overweight.