SA Health Minister Chris Picton declares ham sandwiches still safe on trams and buses

SA’s health minister is accusing advertising lobbyists of waging a campaign to keep their junk food revenue flowing.

South Australia’s health minister is accusing advertising lobbyists of scuttlebutt over the humble ham sandwich.

Minister Chris Picton said the Australian Association of National Advertising (AANA) was scaremongering over its well-reported claims that pictures of the lunch favourite along with birthday cakes and charcuterie boards would be banned on South Australian public transport from July 1.

The row stems from the state government’s move to tackle the increasing health burden of obesity with a tough new junk food advertising ban on buses, trains and trams looming.

It means branded ads for junk foods like processed meats along with lollies, chocolate, soft drinks, chips, icecreams and other confectionery products were not allowed.

South Australian Health Minister Chris Picton. Picture: Kelly Barnes

Earlier this month the AANA declared that this “blanket ban” meant commuters could no longer admire pictures of ham and salad sandwiches or of children’s charities celebrating anniversaries with a birthday cake on public transport.

“As it stands, this policy bans all processed meats, which means a simple ham salad sandwich can’t be advertised.” AANA CEO Josh Faulks told Newswire.

“This simply doesn’t make sense and the government should be making evidence-based decisions, not blanket bans that don’t align with nutritional science.”

He went on to say charcuterie boards for events like Tasting Australia would not be allowed.

Mr Picton has announced the ham and sandwich salad along with “incidental junk food” was safe if they appeared in advertisement pictures that were not specifically branded.

“These lobbyists want to force the State Government to keep having junk food ads on our own buses amid an obesity crisis,” Mr Picton said.

“Evidence shows that South Australian children are bombarded by unhealthy food and drink advertising every day.

“Advertising of unhealthy food and drinks has long been recognised as having a harmful impact on the diets of children.”

The new rules were endorsed by the Cancer Council SA, the Public Health Association of Australia and the Royal Australasian College of Physicians, who Mr Picton said had more expertise about public health than the outdoor advertising industry lobbyists.

It applied to government-owned Adelaide Metro buses, trains and trams and was developed with key stakeholders, including the AANA, according to Mr Picton.

Originally published as SA Health Minister Chris Picton declares ham sandwiches still safe on trams and buses