A recent evaluation of the Federal Government initiative, the Food and Health Dialogue, has found the program to be failing in its efforts to improve the nutritional content of food and promote the importance of healthy eating.
The dialogue was launched in 2009 as a partnership between government organisations, public health groups and members of the food industry, and consisted of a number of objectives including the encouragement of higher fibre and wholegrain content in food, and limits to salt, sugar and fat content.
However the evaluation, published in the Medical Journal of Australia, states that only 11 out of a possible 124 targets had been set, with none fully achieved. The evaluation also states that there is no evidence that any educational programs had been enacted.
Lead researcher of the evaluation, Professor Bruce Neal of The George Institute and the University of Sydney, said that although the dialogue had fantastic aims, the implementation was ‘very weak’.
“The huge quantities of salt, sugar and fat added to the food supply by industry are now the main cause of ill health in the country,” he said.
“If we are to get on top of health problems like obesity, diabetes and heart disease we have to fully implement the dialogue's objectives."
Co-author of the study, Rob Moodie, said that action was being ‘stifled’ by powerful peak industry groups such as the AFGC.
“We need the Government to make this a priority,” said Moodie. “And we have to find a way to strengthen a process that relies upon the voluntary engagement of industry. Powerful industry lobby groups like the Australian Food and Grocery Council are stifling action.”
Jane Martin from the Obesity Policy Coalition said that similar programs such as initiatives launched in the UK have proven to be highly effective, and that ‘meaningful targets’ and coupled with government support are urgently needed.
“The UK experience has shown that these types of initiatives can be effective but action in Australia is occurring at a glacial pace. If we don’t want to be the first generation to outlive our children, then we need to get serious about improving diets, particularly in children. We need meaningful targets, with sanctions for non-compliance and we need the government to take a strong stance and lead the way on this.”
Main recommendations of the evaulation include:
- Leadership from ministerial level of government
- Substantial new investment in Dialogue activities
- Broader engagement to include all relevant stakeholder groups from government, industry, public health, academia and other organisations
- New process for target-setting that removes major conflicts, adopts applicable overseas targets in interim and sets maximum acceptable levels
- Industry roundtables focus on implementation activities