Cancer Council WA is calling on the state government to take urgent action after a new report prepared by Cancer Council Western Australia and funded by Healthway revealed that Western Australian children are being relentlessly targeted by fast-food marketing. From school, during sport, on public transport, and across their digital screens it is relentless.
The report, It’s not just what’s on the menu: How WA’s biggest fast-food brands influence neighbourhood nutrition, found that major fast-food chains are saturating communities with advertising and easy access to unhealthy food options.
Cancer Council WA’s Food and Movement programs manager, Ainslie Sartori, said the issue goes far beyond what’s being served.
“The problem isn’t just the food — it’s how these companies operate,” Ms Sartori said. “Our audit found that major fast-food chains, including McDonald’s, KFC, Hungry Jack’s, Domino’s Pizza, and Subway, run nearly 450 outlets across WA, many located close to homes, schools, and workplaces.”
Ms Sartori said the companies make their products highly accessible, with many outlets open 24 hours a day and delivery apps making it easier than ever to order.
“In 2024 alone, $15 million was spent on fast-food advertising in WA across television, radio, print, outdoor, and cinema,” she said. “That figure doesn’t even include the huge social media presence these companies use to push their products and profits.”
She said celebrity endorsements, competitions, and children’s menus with giveaways are among the tactics used to build brand loyalty from a young age.
“While business is booming for these companies, it’s the health of West Australians that pays the price,” Ms Sartori said.
Cancer Council WA is urging the state government to act on recommendations from the 2019 Sustainable Health Review, including restricting unhealthy food and drink advertising on government-owned assets, reforming planning laws to limit new fast-food outlets near schools, and introducing standards to reduce exposure to unhealthy brands through sports sponsorships.
“These steps will help protect children and communities from pervasive marketing and support healthier choices across WA,” Ms Sartori said. “Every delay puts our health at risk.”
