With Australia now credited with the worst obesity epidemic in the world, a number of policy changes have been mooted. Health Minister Nicola Roxon said last week that the Federal Government considered obesity a concern of high priority, with a National Preventative Health Taskforce set up to provide recommendations to tackle the problem. “We’ve taken steps to make obesity a national health priority. We’re investing in community level initiatives,” she said. “Obviously... ...Read more »

The Food Standards Agency has published a survey of more than 2,000 people across the UK that provides a snapshot of what consumers want when they eat out. The findings show that 85% of people agreed with the statement that restaurants, pubs and cafes have a responsibility to make it clear what is in the food they serve. In addition, when asked where respondents would expect to see nutritional information for it to be most useful, 81% of people said they would like to see it at the point... ...Read more »

The House of Representatives inquiry into obesity is underway with the Australian Food and Grocery Council highlighting the potential for manufacturers to leave Australian shores if new legislation is perceived as being too harsh. The concern about obesity in Australia has led to a growing number of health and consumer groups requesting new legislation to tackle the issue, with a traffic light labeling system, taxes on “junk-food”, advertising restrictions and subsidies on fruit and vegetables... ...Read more »

Parents are unhappy with the current food labeling system in Australia and are calling on the government to take action, according to The Parents Jury. Results from a national survey released by The Parents Jury, a web based forum with over 3200 members “advocating for the improvement of children’s food and physical activity environments”, revealed that 85 per cent of parents want the government to introduce a compulsory front of pack labeling system. The majority of parents surveyed... ...Read more »

The South Australian Government’s program to help rid school canteens of junk food has come under fire from the Liberal Opposition due to concerns about food additives. The ‘Rite-Bite’ campaign initiated by the Labor Party is designed to reduce fat, sugar and salt content in school canteens across South Australia, but the lack of policing of preservatives and additives worries the opposition. Shadow Education Minister, David Pisoni, has now called for an investigation into... ...Read more »

The campaign against junk food advertising to children is gaining momentum with consumer group CHOICE releasing research indicating most parents believe junk food advertising undermines their efforts to teach their children about nutrition. Almost nine out of ten parents (88%) responding to a Newspoll survey said the advertising and marketing of food specifically to children contributes to the difficulties parents have in ensuring children develop healthier eating habits. The survey coincides... ...Read more »

Australian food industry professionals will be monitoring with interest the outcome of new US laws which have outraged food retailers. The New York City Health Department has begun enforcing new legislation which requires chain restaurants to post calorie counts on their menu boards. The laws only apply to chains in New York City with more than 15 restaurants nationwide, meaning that 10% of all restaurants in New York will be affected. According to the New York City Health Commissioner Dr... ...Read more »

Advertising for ice cream, soft drinks, fast food and confectionery products outnumbers advertising of healthier food options by over two to one on children’s websites, according to research carried out by the Cancer Council of NSW. The power of the internet as an advertising tool has been increasing as people spend more and more time online, and it is not surprising that children are now the subject of more targeted campaigns. Product placement within games has become prevalent as... ...Read more »

More than 50 consumer groups worldwide are uniting to seek a stricter code for marketing junk food to children. They are wanting to restrict internet and television advertising campaigns and trying to ban the use of celebrities and cartoon characters from use in junk food marketing campaigns. Australia’s Choice are endeavouring to persuade the Federal Government  to support the campaign but the Health Minister’s spokesman has indicated that it will not even come under consideration until... ...Read more »