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Last week, Labor committed to consider serious steps to improve Australian diets and fight our epidemic of obesity. That would be part of a $ 115.6 million Australian plan from the opposition aimed at fighting preventable diseases.
This is the first time that one of the two main Australian parties has included such a focus on nutrition in its election commitments.
Key elements of the preventive health package include the promise to consider making the star food labeling system mandatory, as well as food reformulation goals for manufacturers.
But these commitments are not concrete. These are actions that the party said they would consider as part of its health prevention commitment.
It is crucial to be strongly committed to these measures and to act accordingly as we face a growing crisis of obesity in Australia.
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What are the objectives of food reformulation?
The packaged foods and beverages available in Australia include many products that contain excessive levels of saturated fat, added sugars and salt.
Nearly half of all packaged foods and beverages available in our supermarkets are clbadified as "discretionary". These are foods that are not needed as part of a healthy diet and it is recommended to consume them in small amounts.
There has been no significant improvement in the overall health of packaged foods in Australia in the last two years. This indicates that the strategy has not been effective in allowing food manufacturers to voluntarily reduce the nutrients of concern.
A growing number of other countries have already legislated to reduce levels of saturated fats, added sugars or salt in foods. South Africa, where mandatory salt reduction targets were introduced in various food categories in 2013, is a striking example. Several countries have banned the addition of trans fats to foods.
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The workforce said that mandatory reformulation goals would be met if the industry did not voluntarily take action to reduce unhealthy ingredients. In the absence of hard evidence of what food manufacturers are systematically doing, there is an urgent need to change policies.
Limiting the amount of harmful components such as fats, sugars and salt contained in the foods we eat would help Australia keep pace with other countries that have already taken serious action in this area.
It is important to note that the mandatory implementation of the star rating of health would complement the objectives of reformulating packaged foods.
What is the health star rating system?
Health Star Rating is a front-of-package labeling system that badesses the overall nutritional profile of packaged foods. A rating ranging from ½ a star to 5 stars is badigned to each product. The system offers a fast and standard way to compare similar packaged foods.
Australian governments for the first time approved the star rating system for health in 2014 for voluntary implementation. About one-third of packaged food in Australian supermarkets is now rated "health star".
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Consumers have the right to know the safety of the food they buy. Some food manufacturers have given the star health rating to all their products. However, many food manufacturers have only chosen to display the star health rating of their healthier products.
The health star rating system will work best for consumers when it will be displayed on all packaged foods. Mandatory implementation would guarantee that. This would also ensure a level playing field for manufacturers.
If the system were to remain voluntary, it would be difficult to imagine how implementation could be much higher than current levels unless strong incentives are put in place. A simple encouragement to increase implementation will probably not be enough.
The proposed policy therefore also requires unambiguous commitment, beyond mere consideration.
What difference would these policies make?
Unhealthy diets and obesity are the main factors of poor health in Australia. About 35% of the energy that Australian adults consume every day comes from discretionary foods. The proportion is even higher among children.
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Recent modeling shows that the mandatory implementation of the health star rating system would lead to a substantial reduction in diabetes, heart disease and stroke. The policy is also likely to be very profitable. In fact, it is likely that the government will reduce its health costs and produce significant long-term health benefits.
The mandatory reformulation objectives should also represent excellent value for money.
A welcome focus on prevention
Australia currently spends much less on preventative health (as a proportion of total health expenditures) than most other comparable countries.
The Labor Party's commitment to the elections would help to some extent to close this important health expenditure gap. This commitment is particularly commendable for its many elements, for its coordination between different sectors and for its factual basis.
The proposed obesity policies are in line with World Health Organization best practice recommendations, as well as consensual recommendations from key Australian health groups.
The commitments also address key gaps in Australia's efforts to prevent obesity from international benchmarks.
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The announcement of Labor indicates a willingness to tackle one of the most critical problems for the health of Australians.
The challenge for the Labor Party, if it wins the elections, will be to take effective action. A common policy pathway to prevention policy is to pit strong initial projects against commercial interests (such as the processed food industry). Politicians then attach to the pressure and result in minor and ineffective policy changes.
We can not afford it, our health depends on it.
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