Gino Kenny (Dublin Mid West, People Before Profit Alliance) | Oireachtas source

My final question is on the commercial determinants, which is the issue under discussion. We speak about the social determinants of society. My interpretation of a commercial determinant is that for commercial companies, profit trumps public health. We see this every day with fast food, vaping and many things that some of us will partake in. We have the terms “sportwashing” and “greenwashing”, but there is a type of “foodwashing” going on regarding how food is marketed to people, particularly in supermarkets. If people go into a supermarket, it is psychological warfare as soon as they walk into the place in terms of the kinds of products they buy and so on. With regard to the determinants around the commercial aspect, are there any guidelines on the main motors that drive this, particularly for fast food? Some of these companies are very profitable and they target young people in particular with the products they sell. Are there guidelines or is there possible future legislation, in particular around fast food and young people?