News

FTC subpoenas QSRs for marketing to children

September 1, 2010

The Federal Trade Commission is getting tough on marketing practices geared toward children.

According AdvertisingAge, the FTC has issued 48 subpoenas to food companies for marketing food toward children and teens.

This news stems from a previous "orders to file special report" from three years ago, which went out to 44 marketers, and serves as a follow-up to the FTC's 2008 120-page report, "Marketing Food to Children and Adolescents: A Review of Industry Expenditures, Activities and Self-Regulation."

Many companies that made the list in 2007 were not on the 2010 list, partly due to marketing changes. This year's list includes 12 new companies, however, 36 of which are repeats.

Some speculate these new subpoenas are a preface to Congressional hearings and possible legislation on the topic, which has been heavily debated by many groups throughout the year.

Quick-service chains have beared the brunt of this debate. Those receiving subpoenas include Burger King Holdings, Dunkin' Brands, McDonald's Corp., Sonic Corporation, Wendy's/Arby's Group, and Yum! Brands.