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Australian youth minister Kate Ellis introduced a new "body-image tick of approval"—a sort of merit badge for magazines and fashion brands that: "disclose when images have been retouched," avoid altering photographs to change a model's or a person'a body shape; only employ models over 16 years old; avoid using extra-thin women models or extra-bulky male models; sell a broad range of sizes; feature a broad range of body shapes, sizes, and ethnicities; refrain from promoting crash diets, cosmetic plastic surgery, and excessive exercise. "Body image is an issue that we must take seriously because it is affecting the health and happiness of substantial sections of our community," Ellis said. "The symbol is a win for consumers. It will empower consumers to tell the fashion, beauty, media and modelling industries what they want and provide greater choice." [News]