Australia Among Nations With Highest Rates of Ultra-processed Food consumption, Raising Health Concerns
Sydney, Australia – australia ranks among the countries with the highest consumption rates of ultra-processed foods (UPFs), a new research series reveals, sparking concerns about potential health consequences and calls for systemic changes to the nation’s food system. The findings, published today, highlight the pervasive presence of UPFs in the Australian diet and their potential link to rising rates of obesity, chronic diseases, and malnutrition, notably among infants.
The research series,lead by experts from the University of Sydney and Deakin University,details how UPFs – industrially formulated products often high in sugar,fat,and salt,and low in nutrients – now constitute a meaningful portion of the Australian food supply. These include packaged snacks, sugary drinks, processed meats, and increasingly, infant foods like cereals, biscuits, and rusks. Nearly a third of baby foods sold in the UK are also ultra-processed, indicating a broader global trend.
Researchers are warning that the marketing of these foods, frequently enough with “health halo” claims, can mislead consumers and contribute to under-nourishment, especially in vulnerable populations. Dr. Philip Baker,a lead author from the University of Sydney,stated a “new vision” is needed for Australia’s food system to redistribute resources to more diverse local producers,rather than transnational corporations.
The series calls for a multi-pronged approach, including policies to support the availability and affordability of fresh, minimally processed foods, and to address socioeconomic and gender inequalities that drive demand for UPFs.Researchers point to Brazil’s policy of requiring 90% of foods in public school lunch programs to be unprocessed or minimally processed as a “gold standard” for potential implementation elsewhere.
Australia’s 2013 dietary guidelines are currently under review, with a systematic review underway to assess the impact of ultra-processed food consumption on mortality and chronic disease risk. A spokesperson for assistant minister for health, Rebecca White, confirmed the review will inform updated guidelines.
