The Australian government is taking measures aimed at reducing rates of obesity and diet-related chronic disease and promoting healthier dietary choices for all Australians. Given the link between high blood pressure and excess salt consumption, the Australian Government's Food and Health Dialogue is working with the food industry to reduce the salt in highly consumed foods such as processed meat, potato and corn snacks, and cheese.
At a recent forum on food regulation in Brisbane, Australian and New Zealand ministers also agreed on a new "Nutrition, Health and Related Claims Standard" that will regulate the food industry's use of health and nutrition content claims such as "low fat." The new standard, which will become law in early 2013, requires that all health claims by food manufacturers be supported by scientific evidence and meet specific eligibility criteria. Food businesses will have three years to meet the requirements.
Sources:
- http://www.health.gov.au/internet/ministers/publishing.nsf/Content/BD880346C2B0A231CA257AC300815D62/$File/CK054.pdf
- http://www.health.gov.au/internet/ministers/publishing.nsf/Content/9C15DCECDBAFDEDBCA257ACD0006FDC3/$File/CK057.pdf
- http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/DA1DC8F00D05072DCA257ACD00086776/$File/121207.pdf