Food, drink and supplements

Helpful information on how to advertise Food, Drink and Supplements in line with the advertising rules, and examples of previous Advertising Standards Authority rulings in this area.

The advertising of food, drink and supplements has come under scrutiny for a variety of reasons, such as concerns around promoting the consumption of unhealthy foods or making dubious nutritional claims. To protect consumers, especially children, and prevent them from being misled, we have strict rules in place for the advertising of food, drink and supplements.

When it comes to children, the emphasis is on advertisers creating responsible ads and the rules make clear they should not promote poor nutritional habits or unhealthy lifestyles. Advertisers are not allowed to use licensed characters in food and drink ads targeted at children, nor can they feature sales promotions in content targeted at this audience. We have also previously banned ads that exploit children’s vulnerability by suggesting they would be inferior if they did not eat or buy the product being advertised, and ads that have encouraged “pester power”.

Another key aspect of advertising food, drink and supplements is the promotion of the product’s health benefits. Advertisers are, of course, entitled to bring to the public’s attention the nutritional worth of their products but the rules in place are tough. The Advertising Codes reflect wide-reaching EU legislation and advertisers must hold evidence for authorised health claims as required by an EU Register. Claims that state or imply a food, drink or supplement prevents, treats or cures human disease are not permitted under any circumstances. Reduction of disease claims are allowed but only if they appear on the EU Register and only if they are presented clearly without exaggeration.

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Latest rulings

ITV Broadcasting Ltd
- Not upheld
- Television
- 03 February 2021
A TV ad by McDonald’s aired during an ad break for the film Nancy Drew was not found to have breached the BCAP Code.
LARQ
- Upheld
- Social media (own site)
- 27 January 2021
A paid-for Facebook post by a water bottle retailer was banned for implying that a bottle could kill all bacteria and viruses without holding substantial evidence to support the claim.
Manuka Doctor (UK) Ltd
- Upheld
- National newspaper (ad feature)
- 06 January 2021
A newspaper ad for a brand of honey was banned for implying that it could be used as a treatment for coughs and for implying that its “anti-microbial” properties could treat diseases.
Lidl Great Britain Ltd
- Upheld
- Internet (on own site), National press, Leaflet
- 16 December 2020
Two leaflets, a website, and two newspaper ads for Lidl products were banned for quoting unsubstantiated RRP claims.

View all rulings

Food, drink and supplements

Helpful information on how to advertise Food, Drink and Supplements in line with the advertising rules, and examples of previous Advertising Standards Authority rulings in this area.

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Latest rulings

ITV Broadcasting Ltd

LARQ

Manuka Doctor (UK) Ltd

Lidl Great Britain Ltd

Help getting it right

Popular advice

Food: HFSS Nutrient Profiling

Food: HFSS Media Placement

Food: HFSS Overview

Relevant codes

15 Food, food supplements and associated health or nutrition claims

13 Food, food supplements and associated health or nutrition claims