Washington, dec. 4 /prnewswire/ -- Gma/fpa, The Largest Trade Association representing The Food, Beverage And Consumer Products Industry, Today Issued the Following Statement From Senior Vice President Of Government Affairs, Mary sophos Regarding The Report Released By The American Academy Of Pediatrics titled, Children, Adolescents And Advertising:

"the Members Of Gma/fpa Have Always Been Committed To Communicating With consumers, Especially Children, In Ways That Accurately Portray The Products, their Intended Uses And The Benefits They Deliver. For More Than Three decades, The Self-regulatory Guidelines Of The Childrens Advertising Unit (caru) Have Helped To Ensure That Advertising To Children By Food Companies Is age And Nutritionally Appropriate And Reflects A Balanced Approach To Health and Nutrition.

"the Caru Guidelines Were In Fact Just Updated, Broadening Their jurisdiction And Strengthening Carus Guidance To All Childrens Advertisers including Food And Beverage Companies. Also Just Recently, Ten Of The Leading food And Beverage Manufacturers, Accounting For Two Thirds Of Television Food advertising To Children, Launched The Childrens Food And Beverage Advertising initiative. The Initiative Will Increase The Advertising Messages That encourage Good Nutrition And Healthy Lifestyles, And Commit Companies To advertise Healthier Choices To Children Under 12.

"adhering To Responsible Advertising Practices Is Just One Of The Ways that The Food Industry Is Helping To Address The Serious Public Health Issues of Overweight And Obesity. Food And Beverage Companies Have Also Launched A wide Variety Of Reformulated Products With Improved Nutrition Profiles, including Reduced Saturated And Trans Fats, Reduced Calories, Less Sugar And less Sodium. In Addition To Product Reformulation, Companies Have Introduced more Than 600 Single Serve And Kid Friendly Sizes To Assist Parents And children Address Portion Control Issues."

The Food Products Association Is The Largest Trade Association Serving The food And Beverage Industry In The united States And Worldwide. Fpas laboratory Centers, Scientists And Professional Staff Provide Technical And regulatory Assistance To Member Companies And Represent The Food Industry On scientific And Public Policy Issues Involving Food Safety, Food Security, nutrition, Consumer Affairs And International Trade. For More Information, visit Fpas Website At http://www.fpa-food.org.

The Grocery Manufacturers Association (gma) Represents The Worlds Leading branded Food, Beverage And Consumer Products Companies. Since 1908, Gma Has been An Advocate For Its Members On Public Policy Issues And Has Championed initiatives To Increase Industrywide Productivity And Growth. Gma Member companies Employ More Than 2.5 Million Workers In All 50 States And Account for More Than $680 Billion In Global Annual Sales. The Association Is Led By A board Of Member Company Chief Executives. For More Information, Visit The Gma web Site At http://www.gmabrands.com.

source Gma/fpa