Public Support for Nutrition-Related Actions by Food Companies in Australia: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Findings from the 2020 International Food Policy Study

Ebony Yin, Adrian J. Cameron, Sally Schultz, Christine M. White, Lana Vanderlee, David Hammond and Gary Sacks ()
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Ebony Yin: Institute for Health Transformation, Global Centre for Preventive Health and Nutrition, Deakin University, Burwood 3125, Australia
Adrian J. Cameron: Institute for Health Transformation, Global Centre for Preventive Health and Nutrition, Deakin University, Burwood 3125, Australia
Sally Schultz: Institute for Health Transformation, Global Centre for Preventive Health and Nutrition, Deakin University, Burwood 3125, Australia
Christine M. White: School of Public Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
Lana Vanderlee: School of Nutrition, Centre Nutrition, Santé et Société (NUTRISS), Institut sur la Nutrition et les Aliments Fonctionnels (INAF), Université Laval, Québec City, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
David Hammond: School of Public Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
Gary Sacks: Institute for Health Transformation, Global Centre for Preventive Health and Nutrition, Deakin University, Burwood 3125, Australia

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 5, 1-12

Abstract: Unhealthy food environments contribute to unhealthy population diets. In Australia, the government currently relies on voluntary food company actions (e.g., related to front-of-pack labelling, restricting promotion of unhealthy foods, and product formulation) as part of their efforts to improve population diets, despite evidence that such voluntary approaches are less effective than mandatory policies. This study aimed to understand public perceptions of potential food industry nutrition-related actions in Australia. An online survey was completed by 4289 Australians in 2020 as part of the International Food Policy Study. The level of public support was assessed for six different nutrition-related actions related to food labelling, food promotion, and product formulation. High levels of support were observed for all six company actions, with the highest support observed for displaying the Health Star Rating on all products (80.4%) and restricting children’s exposure to online promotion of unhealthy food (76.8%). Findings suggest the Australian public is strongly supportive of food companies taking action to improve nutrition and the healthiness of food environments. However, given the limitations of the voluntary action from food companies, mandatory policy action by the Australian government is likely to be needed to ensure company practices align with public expectations.

Keywords: food industry; food environment; nutrition policy; food company; nutrition initiative; public attitudes (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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