twrama 1990_final oc.. - AMA WA

Food reform on the agenda
The Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC) has
launched the Healthier Australia Commitment, an industry
first-initiative which will take measurable action to help reduce
the incidence of chronic preventable diseases in Australia.
The foundation members of the Healthier Australia
Commitment comprise some of the largest food companies
operating in Australia. They have voluntarily agreed to the
following collaborative and collective targets for reductions in
saturated fat, sodium and energy by 2015:
• Reduce saturated fat in products by 25 per cent – equivalent
to over 3 million kilograms of saturated fat removed from
the food supply.
• Reduce sodium in products by 25 per cent – equivalent to
over 270,000 kilograms of sodium removed from the food
supply.
• Reduce energy, with a focus on energy-dense, nutrient-poor
products by 12.5 per cent – equivalent to over 100 billion
kilojoules removed from the food supply.
Professor Simon Stewart, Head of Preventative Health at the
Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute, said that by focusing
on diet and targeting those nutrients of concern associated with
chronic preventable disease, industry is making a significant step
towards improving the health of Australians.
“Australia’s current rates of chronic preventable diseases such
as obesity, Type II diabetes and cardiovascular disease are high,
placing a strain on Australia’s health system. While there are
many factors that contribute to maintaining a healthy lifestyle,
improving the diet is a key factor and these 2015 targets set by
the industry have the ability to significantly improve Australia’s
health,” Professor Stewart said.
The Healthier Australia Commitment’s foundation members,
which represent more than 25 per cent of the food and grocery
industry, include Unilever, Nestle, Campbell Arnotts, General
Mills, Lion, Sugar Australia, Coca-Cola South Pacific, and
Pepsico Australia.
AFGC’s Chief Executive Officer Gary Dawson invited
industry and non-industry organisations such as health groups,
community associations and professional bodies, who share
a vision to create a healthier Australia, to participate in the
initiative.
NEWS
“Product innovation is just one pillar of the Healthier Australia
Commitment, and a holistic approach combining diet and
exercise is needed to address the health of Australia. We see the
benefit in building alliances with other partners to help us meet
these challenges,” Mr Dawson said.
“The Healthier Australia Commitment will also address
the imbalance between what we eat and the exercise we do, by
partnering with peak professional body Exercise & Sports Science
Australia (ESSA).
“ESSA will be working with the Healthier Australia
Commitment to launch ‘Exercise is Medicine Workplace Physical
Activity Resources’, aimed at promoting physical activity and
reducing inactivity in and outside of the workplace.
“The Healthier Australia Commitment will also be connecting
with Australian families through ‘Together Counts’ (www.
togethercounts.com.au) an online platform to educate the
community about the concept of energy balance, promoting
healthy eating and physical activity, which is based upon the
highly successful American ‘Together Counts’ Program,
supported by Michelle Obama.
“The Healthier Australia Commitment demonstrates the
industry’s united approach to reaching nutrient reduction
targets in the marketplace and believe this is a step in the right
direction,” Mr Dawson said. ■
Food wise: Professor Simon Stewart, Head of Preventative Health at the Baker
IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute said focusing on diet was key.
(Above right) The Australian Food and Grocery Council’s CEO Gary Dawson
said the Healthier Australia Commitment would help reduce the incidence of
chronic preventable diseases.
Nissan Maxima, Murano
and 370Z Coupe.
4.9% Business
Finance.
164 Leach Hwy, Melville
9330 6666 www.magicnissan.com.au
DL0491
October MEDICUS 17