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

Bubbleology UK-I Ltd t/a Bubbleology
- Not upheld
- Social media (paid ad)
- 22 July 2026
A paid-for Instagram ad for a bubble tea company didn’t break the less healthy food rules because it was a small and medium-sized enterprise and was therefore exempt.
Domino's Pizza UK & Ireland Ltd t/a Domino's
- Upheld
- Social media (paid ad), Television, Video on demand
- 22 July 2026
A TV ad, Video on Demand ad and a YouTube ad for Domino’s broke the rules by featuring an identifiable less healthy food product.
Higham Miller Coffee Ltd t/a Exhale Healthy Coffee
- Upheld
- Social media (paid ad)
- 22 July 2026
A paid-for Instagram ad for a coffee company made unauthorised health and nutrition claims and included health claims that referred to the recommendation of an individual health professional.
McDonald's Restaurants Ltd t/a McDonald's
- Not Upheld
- Television
- 22 July 2026
A TV ad for McDonalds didn’t break the rules by featuring an identifiable less healthy product.

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

Bubbleology UK-I Ltd t/a Bubbleology

Domino's Pizza UK & Ireland Ltd t/a Domino's

Higham Miller Coffee Ltd t/a Exhale Healthy Coffee

McDonald's Restaurants Ltd t/a McDonald's

Help getting it right

Popular advice

Less healthy food and drink: advertising guidance

Food: HFSS Media Placement

Multi-Level Marketing

Relevant codes

12 Weight control and slimming

13 Food, food supplements and associated health or nutrition claims