The Center for Digital Democracy (CDD), a consumer watchdog dedicated to preserving the openness and diversity of the Internet, has issued an open letter to Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to investigate youth-targeted marketing initiatives implemented by leading food and beverage companies.

According the group’s new report titled “Interactive Food & Beverage Marketing: Targeting Children and Youth in the Digital Age”, several online marketing efforts by these food and beverage companies contributed to the growing obesity in US.

“As this digital marketing system moves swiftly into place, we have a relatively brief period to establish policies and marketing standards that could help prevent today’s young people–and future generations–from suffering the serious health consequences of poor nutrition,” said CDD executive director, Jeff Chester.

Leading companies guilty of doing such act are McDonald’s Coca-Cola, Burger King, Mars, and Wendy’s.

The new report will also be delivered today to Congress and at the Federal Communications Commission.

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