In a demonstration of the other side of merchandising, imdb.com’s Studio Briefing reports that The Walt Disney Co. has announced a company-wide campaign in the US to end promotions of “unhealthful foods” to children and eliminate sales of such food in its theme parks.
This move is reportedly in response to warnings of a national epidemic of childhood obesity. Disney characters will only be used in food advertising and merchandising for products that meet certain guidelines for calories and fat content.
In a statement, Disney CEO Robert Iger said, “A company such as ours, with the reach we have, has a responsibility because of how much we can influence people’s opinions and behavior”.
