Companies who market sugary products to kids 'named and shamed'

Aussie parents have named and shamed companies they claim blatantly market sugary products to children.

Online network Parents’ Voice has announced its annual Fame and Shame Awards, which target major food companies they believe use advertising campaigns that mislead children.

“It’s well recognised that advertisement of junk food to children should be stopped,” Parents’ Voice spokesperson Jane Martin said.

The group’s top gong, the Smoke and Mirrors Award, went to Milo’s Add More to Milk campaign.

“The reality is, this campaign said Milo ‘adds more’ to milk,” said Alice Pryor from Parents’ Voice.

“But when you add Milo, the health star rating of that glass of milk goes down.

“You’re adding calcium, you’re adding vitamin D; but you’re also adding nine grams of sugar.”

McDonalds took home a Shame Award for its Happy Land app, which Parents’ Voice says encourages children to eat take-away food.

The use of sports stars to sell Powerade was also shamed, while Coles was criticised for its Little Shop campaign.

Obesity is increasing in Australian kids at an alarming rate, with 25 per cent of all children between the ages of five and 12 classified as overweight.

“Many of those children will go on to develop chronic diseases as a result – heart disease, cancer,” Ms Martin said.

But there was a bright spot in the VicHealth This Girl Can campaign, which was universally praised for encouraging females to get moving.