Cartoon Networks Implements New Guidelines for Licensed Food Products

ATLANTA,
August 17: Following similar moves by Disney Channel, Nickelodeon and Discovery
Kids, Cartoon Network has announced new guidelines limiting the use of its
characters on junk food.

The
guidelines were developed primarily from nutritional standards for kids’ food
in schools issued by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) and the U.S. Dietary
Guidelines, and in consultation with several nutritional experts. Effective
January 1, 2008, Cartoon Network will limit the use of its characters from its
series geared to kids 12 and under to food and beverage products that meet
specific nutritional criteria. The nutritional criteria will include a cap on
total calories per appropriate serving with limits on total fat, saturated fat,
added trans fat, sodium and sugar and a requirement encouraging recommended
nutrients such as vitamin A and C, iron, calcium, protein, and fiber. The only
exception will be for the licensing of “special occasion sweets.”

Cartoon
Network is also working with its nutritional experts to develop new programming
that will integrate messages regarding nutrition and activity across multiple
platforms to encourage families to adopt balanced and healthy lifestyles. This
builds on the successful Get Animated outreach programs and multi-platform promotions.

“Cartoon
Network believes in a fully comprehensive approach to promoting overall child
health,” said Stuart Snyder, the executive VP and COO of Turner’s animation,
young adults and kids media group. “Our strategy is to approach these current
health issues on all fronts by carefully guiding our licensed character
branding, developing new entertainment programming and interstitials to help
teach recommended dietary practices, and promoting multiple off-channel
partnerships that will inspire kids to develop a more active lifestyle.”

Snyder
continued, “We will continue to work with and support our food and beverage
partners, who as an industry are committed to the highest standards for
responsible marketing to children, and who are making great strides in
reformulating products and committing to shift the mix of messages in
advertising to encourage healthier dietary choices and healthy lifestyles.”