Online Marketing by Big Food and Big Alcohol During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Australia

This study, the first of its kind, found that Big Food and Big Alcohol are incessantly marketing their products and brands on social media platforms using themes related to COVID-19, such as isolation activities and community support. Parent companies are frequently posting about CSR initiatives, such as donations of money and products, thereby creating a fertile environment to loosen current regulation or resist further industry regulation.

“COVID-washing” by large alcohol brands, food and beverage brands, and their parent companies is both common and concerning.

The need for comprehensive regulations to restrict unhealthy food and alcohol marketing, as recommended by the World Health Organization, is particularly acute in the COVID-19 context and is urgently required to “build back better” in a post-COVID-19 world.