Oregon launches anti-junk food TV ads campaign

Oregon launches anti-junk food TV ads campaign

PORTLAND, Ore. — Oregon health officials are launching a public awareness campaign for parents to counter what they call “a barrage” of junk-food TV commercials aimed at children.

Jennifer Young of the state Office of Family Health says the average American child sees more than 40,000 advertisements each year.

Young says half those ads are for food and nearly all the food is sugared cereal, high-calorie snacks and fast food.

The statewide campaign launched Thursday by the Nutrition Council of Oregon will include ads in 200 TriMet buses in Portland and a Facebook page with information about advertising and healthy food.