{"id":8962,"date":"2025-05-29T13:39:06","date_gmt":"2025-05-29T13:39:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.spotlight.com\/?p=8962"},"modified":"2025-11-26T15:53:13","modified_gmt":"2025-11-26T15:53:13","slug":"impact-of-hfss-advertisement-restrictions-for-performers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.spotlight.com\/news-and-advice\/the-industry\/impact-of-hfss-advertisement-restrictions-for-performers\/","title":{"rendered":"Impact of Fast Foods Ad Restrictions for Performers"},"content":{"rendered":"

A win for the industry as the Government delays the Less Health Food (LHF) advertising restrictions.<\/h2>\n

Update published: 29 May 2025<\/em><\/p>\n

A few weeks ago, we shared our sector\u2019s concerns about the impact of the Government\u2019s proposed restrictions on the advertising of High Fat, Salt and Sugar (HFSS) products that are classified as Less Healthy (LHF). We highlighted these concerns by submitting a letter to the Secretaries of State for Health and Wellbeing, Culture, Media and Sport and Business and Trade on behalf of a number of industry bodies<\/a>. The lack of clarity around brand advertising left many in our industry \u2013 especially actors, agents, and project creators \u2013 in a state of uncertainty about what would and wouldn\u2019t be allowed. This confusion risked disrupting crucial business for ads later in the year, including the all-important Christmas campaigns.<\/p>\n

The Government has now formally acknowledged this lack of clarity and agreed to delay enforcement of the new LHF advertising restrictions until 2026. The delay was prompted by concerns \u2013 highlighted in our sector\u2019s recent letter \u2013 over whether iconic brands, such as Cadbury\u2019s, could advertise at all under the new rules.<\/p>\n

While the Advertising Association, the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising, and other trade groups have led the charge on this issue, we were glad that our sector could provide a fresh, new, culturally powerful perspective to the debate.<\/p>\n

What Has Changed?<\/h3>\n

Full statutory implementation of the LHF ban is now scheduled for 5 January 2026. However, brands and advertisers are still expected to start aligning with its aim from 1 October 2024. The Government has signaled that any flagrant disregard for the spirit of the new rules will be viewed as a hostile act.<\/p>\n

The full and detailed guidance on brand advertising for 2026 and beyond won\u2019t be published before 1 October, which still leaves a window of ongoing uncertainty.<\/p>\n

What Does This Mean for the Industry?<\/h3>\n

Brands can continue to advertise as long as LHF products are not featured. For actors, agents, and creatives, this is a crucial win. Campaigns which don\u2019t spotlight specific LHF products should remain safe, even into next year.<\/p>\n

As we look ahead to later in the year, we\u2019re glad that Christmas campaigns can go ahead as planned, and we welcome the Government’s commitment to allowing brand advertising from January onward. This is good news for our talent and for the creative agencies we partner with, while also supporting the wider aims of tackling childhood obesity.<\/p>\n

Spotlight will continue to work with our partners to ensure that the creative industries are heard as these policies evolve.<\/p>\n

–<\/p>\n

Published: 16 May 2025<\/em><\/p>\n

On 15 May 2025, <\/span>Spotlight sent the Secretaries of State a letter on behalf of the creative industries<\/span><\/a> urging them to delay implementation of the High in Fat, Sugar and Salt (HFSS) Advertisement Restrictions. The letter urges the government to postpone the introduction of the restrictions on food and drink commercials until the industry has had time to prepare and plan accordingly for the changes and the impact the restrictions will have on the careers and livelihoods of freelancers and enterprise businesses.<\/span><\/p>\n

The letter follows a roundtable discussion, hosted by Spotlight on 28 April 2025, with key members of the entertainment industry. The discussion focussed on the Government\u2019s upcoming <\/span>restrictions on commercials which advertise food and drink that are <\/span>High in Fat, Sugar and Salt.<\/span><\/p>\n

Representatives from Channel 4, the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising (IPA), and a variety of agents and casting directors joined us to highlight some of the concerns the restrictions will have on the creative industry and those working in it.<\/span><\/p>\n

The letter, sent on behalf of <\/span>The Association of Voice Agents (AVA), <\/span>Agents of Young Performers Association (AYPA), <\/span>Casting Directors Association (CDA), <\/span>Casting Directors\u2019 Guild (CDG), <\/span>Co-Operative Personal Managers Association (CPMA), <\/span>Personal Managers\u2019 Association (PMA) and <\/span>Spotlight,<\/span> voices the industry\u2019s concerns about the impact restrictions will have on our sector, as well as disappointment at not being consulted during the Government’s discussions.<\/span><\/p>\n

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What Are the HFSS Advertisement Restrictions?<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
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The HFSS Advertisement Restrictions aim to reduce children\u2019s exposure to fast foods through commercials by limiting when these advertisements can be played.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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For Television Commercials:<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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