March 15th marks the annual World Consumer Rights Day, organized by Consumer’s International.

Consumers International (CI) is a UK based non-profit founded in 1960 that serves as an industry independent voice and represents 220 member organizations in 115 countries.

The stated goal is to help protect and empower consumers everywhere.

Last year, the group began to focus on the marketing of junk food to kids. They are continuing with this important message today:

Around the world, from the Dominican Republic to Sweden, and India to Mali, CI member organisations unite in activities around the Junk Food Generation campaign to mark World Consumer Rights Day (WCRD) 2009 on 15 March 2009.

The day  also sees the launch of New media, same old tricks – a new report by CI that examines the ways that global food companies use to promote foods high in fat, sugar and salt to children on their own websites.

The Junk Food Generation campaign calls for an end to the marketing of unhealthy food to children globally and 2009 is an important year for this campaign. In March, the World Health Organization (WHO) will publish draft recommendations on the marketing of food and non-alcoholic beverages to children.

Consumers International and the International Obesity Taskforce (IOTF) have published Recommendations for an International Code on Marketing of Foods and Non-Alcoholic Beverages to Children.

What you need to know:

Consumers International wants the World Health Organization (WHO) to adopt the suggested code and for national governments to incorporate it into legislation. This would protect children up to the age of 16 years old by a global standard on the marketing of unhealthy food and drink, including:
* A ban on radio or TV advertisements promoting foods high in fat, sugar and salt (HFSS foods)
* No marketing of HFSS foods on using new media (such as websites, viral marketing, text messaging)
* No promotion of HFSS foods in schools
* No advertising of HFSS foods targeting parents or caregivers
* No use of celebrities, cartoon characters, competitions or free gifts to market HFSS foods

What to do at the supermarket:

“Fat Chance” that such legislation will be put in effect in the US, but as parents we can choose what to buy for our kids.

Doing some grocery shopping today? Empower yourself together with your children to check nutrition labels and ingredient lists, choosing healthy foods and snacks.

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