SA Government restrictions on unhealthy food and drink advertising on public transport
25 June 2025
Background
The South Australian Government’s ban on advertising unhealthy food and drinks across public transport assets – including metro buses, trains, and trams – comes into effect from Tuesday, 1 July 2025. The policy, led by Preventive Health SA in partnership with the Department for Infrastructure and Transport, aims to reduce children’s exposure to unhealthy food and drink advertising.
Initial policy review planned
The food classification system used to determine foods are prohibited from advertising is based on the COAG Interim Guidelines. The SA government has confirmed this will be reviewed during the first 12 months to ensure the framework remains practical and effective.
Supporting resources
An Implementation Guide and FAQs are available on the SA Government website, providing additional detail on how the policy will be applied.
What’s restricted?
Drinks
The following are not permitted if they contain added sugar or artificial sweeteners (e.g. aspartame, sucralose, saccharin, ace-K):
- Fruit juice
- Plant-based drinks (e.g. soy, oat, almond)
- Dairy-based drinks
- Coffee or water-based drinks
Permitted drinks include those with no added sugar, nutritive sweeteners (e.g. xylitol, sorbitol), or natural sweeteners (e.g. stevia, monk fruit extract).
Foods
Generally, healthier foods such as breakfast cereals, fruit and vegetables, bread, pasta, noodles, meat and alternatives are allowed.
However, some surprising items are restricted, including:
- Crackers
- Crispbreads
- Corn thins
- Pikelets and pancakes
As expected, foods such as chocolate, confectionery, desserts, ice cream, and chips are not allowed to be advertised.
Branding rules
Only master brand advertisements are permitted – either featuring healthy food imagery or standing alone without food images.
Key considerations for members
This SA policy may set a precedent – other jurisdictions could follow with similar restrictions. The food classification system is broad and sometimes inconsistent, which may unfairly impact certain product categories.
AFGC action
The AFGC has actively engaged with government stakeholders over the past six months, including a direct meeting with SA Health Minister Chris Picton. We have joined forces with other industry bodies to raise concerns and highlight flaws in the policy design. We will continue to monitor implementation and advocate for a review process that is transparent, evidence-based and fair.
Contact
If you have concerns or would like to share examples of how the policy affects your business, please contact the AFGC team. Your input supports our continued advocacy efforts.
For more information, contact Anne-Marie Mackintosh, Associate Director – Nutrition and Regulation
Dr Duncan Craig
Director – Nutrition and Regulation
