Under its new policies, Cartoon Network will limit the use of its original characters related to its company-owned original series targeted to children under the age of 12 to food and beverage products that meet specific nutritional criteria. The nutritional criteria will include a cap on total calories per appropriate serving with limits on total fat, saturated fat, added trans fat, sodium and sugar and a requirement encouraging recommended nutrients such as vitamin A and C, iron, calcium, protein and fiber. The guidelines will apply in the U.S. to all new product licensing and promotional tie-in deals and to renewals of any existing deals starting January 1, 2008. The only exception will be for the licensing of special occasion sweets.
Cartoon Network is also working with its nutritional experts to develop creative new programming that will integrate messages regarding nutrition and activity across platforms to positively influence, educate and encourage families to adopt balanced and healthy lifestyles. This pledge builds on Cartoon Network's extensive variety of Get Animated outreach programs and multi-platform promotions aimed at reaching children with healthy lifestyle messages with targeted public-private partnerships, public service campaigns, online education, and off-channel activities and special events, which the network will continue to deliver.