New Wave of Aggressive Junk Food Ads Run on Channel One in Spring

July 7, 2000

Channel One’s assault on good nutrition in our public schools escalated in March, April and May. New ads for McDonalds, Nestle Crunch Bars, Fruit Loops, Pepsi, Tostitos Tortilla Chips, Hostess Cupcakes, and Starbust and Skittles candy were rolled out by Channel One’s management.

Jim Metrock said, “Schools won’t tolerate this much longer. The health of schoolchildren is far more important that the value of Channel One’s television equipment. What makes these junk food ads even worse are the contests Channel One promotes to get the kids to eat more candy and drink more soft drinks. In March Channel One dangles $1 million in front of kids to get them to eat more McDonalds products. In April, Channel One runs a contest to get kids to eat more Nestle Crunch bars. In May, they run a “Match the fruit and win the loot” contest for Starburst and Skittles candy.”

“I have just written again to Dr. Paul Folkemer of Channel One and I have pleaded with him to stop approving the candy, soft drink and entertainment commercials for the Channel One audience that goes down to age ten,” Metrock said. “Dr. Folkemer is the man who approves all the commercials on Channel One. He approved the commercials I just mentioned. Parents and teachers will be marching into school board rooms around the country this fall, if Channel One is still being shown to their children.”

Obligation will soon have pictures of Channel One commercials on our web site so parents and teachers can download the still photos to show school board members.

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