Latest news with #AustralianFood
SBS Australia
2 days ago
- Business
- SBS Australia
Australians are choosing foods that contribute to leading causes of disease. Why?
Processed food is being consumed at higher rates than health guidelines recommend. Source: AAP / Mick Tsikas New research suggests the cost of living is driving up poor diets in Australia. Poor diet is among the top causes of disease in Australia. Meanwhile, millions of tonnes of edible food are thrown away each year. Just under one in 20 Australians are making dietary choices that are consistent with Australian dietary guidelines. According to CSIRO's latest Food System Horizons report, Australians are experiencing diseases due to unhealthy diets despite a relative abundance of safe, high-quality food. Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows that the local value of Australian fruit production (excluding wine grapes) was $6.3 billion in 2022-23, with 2.7 million tonnes sold the same year. Similarly, the local value of vegetable production was $5.8 billion, with 3.6 million tonnes sold. As a result of large quantities of fresh food remaining unused, 33 million tonnes of organic waste are generated each year. The CSIRO's report estimates that Australia's production, distribution and consumption of food is worth $800 billion and employs around 3.5 million people. But researchers say it's not delivering for everyone, and that lack of affordable and nutritious food is a leading cause of disease in the nation. Larelle McMillan, research director of CSIRO's agriculture and food sustainability program, said the cost of food and health issues is "hitting Australians hard". She said a lack of choice is partially responsible for this situation. "Health-related epidemics and issues are often interpreted as an acceptable consequence of personal choice," she told SBS News. "However, there are elements to that personal choice that can lead us away from healthy food." In particular, the cost of healthy food (like fruit and vegetables) compared to processed ones can make a nutritious diet out of reach for Australians on a smaller budget. People living in regional and remote areas are more likely to see higher prices at the checkout and have fewer options available, which could influence their food choices. According to the report, 6 per cent of those in regional areas only have access to a single food retailer, and that figure rises over five times to 34 per cent for residents in remote areas. These factors are contributing to a vast number of Australians not getting enough nutrition in their diet, which is leading to health consequences, the report says. Less than 5 per cent of Australians are eating enough fruits and vegetables as recommended in the federal government's Australian dietary guidelines. In comparison, twice as much non-essential or "discretionary food" like biscuits and processed meat is being consumed. A lack of nutrition in one's diet can contribute to risks such as obesity, among other health issues. Dietary risk is one of the leading factors contributing to disease burden in the country, according to data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. While cost is a driving factor in food insecurity, convenience also plays a role in how consumers choose to shop in the modern age. Lilly Lim-Camacho, a principal research scientist at CSIRO, explained that convenience can drive our habits when it comes to what we buy for our meals. "When it comes to purchasing food, buying fresh food to prepare yourself isn't as convenient when compared to other things," she told SBS News. "In addition, it can be seen as expensive, not only because of the increased cost but the increased time that goes into preparing food." The environments we are exposed to when buying food also play a part, as people can be swayed by marketing, she added. The CSIRO report highlights that fast food outlets are heavily concentrated in areas of socio-economic disadvantage and around schools, which could be driving poor dietary patterns among these groups. "For example, children's exposure to fast food advertisements can affect what they want to eat afterwards," she said. The report added that people who are living with socio-economic disadvantage within regional and remote areas faced the biggest harms of food insecurity. Australian food relief charities that assist people in accessing affordable and nutritious food say the cost of living remains a major barrier to healthy eating. At the same time, millions of tonnes go to landfills each year, according to Foodbank Australia. "Australia wastes over 7.6 million tonnes of perfectly edible food a year," the charity's chief operating officer, Sarah Pennell, told SBS News. "We want to see more of that good surplus food diverted to charities like Foodbank rather than landfill. With the right incentives and infrastructure, we can dramatically reduce waste and boost food relief efforts." Food charity Second Bite's CEO, Daniel Moorfield, told SBS News they rescue around 25 million kilograms of food each year, which is equivalent to 50 million meals. But there is more they could do with support. "We strongly support the National Food Donation Tax Incentive, which encourages more businesses to donate surplus food rather than waste it, helping to feed more Australians in need," he said. "This straightforward policy can help deliver millions of healthy meals to Australians in need, improving food security and nutrition while advancing our national food waste reduction goals." One way to encourage people to make healthy choices, according to the CSIRO, is a levy on unhealthy foods and sugar-sweetened beverages, adds the report. The World Health Organization encouraged a similar tax on sugary drinks in 2022. Pennell said such a levy would need to be considered in the light of its impact on low-income households. "We would support well-thought-out policies that improve dietary health and fund food relief efforts – but only if they don't make life harder for those already struggling to afford the basics."
The Age
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Age
How to make Bill Granger's favourite brunch: Sweetcorn fritters with Tex-Mex sides
'Tex-Mex was huge around the time we opened bills in 1993,' Bill Granger wrote in his 2020 cookbook Australian Food. 'Tinned chipotles were flavour of the month, and Navajo blankets were being dragged down every fashionable catwalk. This was in the days before we worried about cultural appropriation, and we were living in a Santa Fe fantasy world.' These sweetcorn fritters with roast tomatoes, bacon and avocado salsa were Granger's nod to that, but they outlived the phase and are still on the menu. With its combination of crunch and big flavours, this was his favourite breakfast dish.
Sydney Morning Herald
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
How to make Bill Granger's favourite brunch: Sweetcorn fritters with Tex-Mex sides
'Tex-Mex was huge around the time we opened bills in 1993,' Bill Granger wrote in his 2020 cookbook Australian Food. 'Tinned chipotles were flavour of the month, and Navajo blankets were being dragged down every fashionable catwalk. This was in the days before we worried about cultural appropriation, and we were living in a Santa Fe fantasy world.' These sweetcorn fritters with roast tomatoes, bacon and avocado salsa were Granger's nod to that, but they outlived the phase and are still on the menu. With its combination of crunch and big flavours, this was his favourite breakfast dish.
CTV News
07-05-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Café in Guelph, Ont. secures Vegemite victory after run-in with federal agency
Love it or hate it, an Australian food spread is back on the shelves of a Guelph store. CTV's Alexandra Holyk explains why it was removed.
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Woolworths reports mixed H1 FY25 as sales rise and NPAT dips
Australian supermarket chain Woolworths has reported a 3.7% uptick in group sales to A$35.93bn ($22.78bn) in the first half (H1) of fiscal 2025 (FY25), marking growth across all operational segments. For the 27 weeks ended 5 January 2025, total sales in Woolsworths' core business Australian Food rose 2.7%, with a strong initial quarter slightly dampened by Q2's supply chain problems caused by industrial action. If not for the estimated A$240m sales hit from these disruptions, H1's figures for Australian Food would have shown an even more impressive rise of 3.7%. The company's e-commerce sales increased 18.3% to A$4.67bn, fuelled by robust same-day and on-demand services in H1 FY25. A significant shift in consumer behaviour is evident as orders fulfilled within two hours now account for 31% of e-commerce sales - a figure that has more than doubled since 2024. Australian Food's e-commerce segment saw a 20% increase in sales, while the online sales of New Zealand Food - another core business - also showed strength with a 14.6% rise. The company's basic earnings per share (EPS) fell to 60.5 cents from 76.2 cents in H1 FY24. However, group gross margin saw a decline of 17 basis points due to lower margins in Australian Food and core business BIG W, primarily driven by customer-friendly pricing, heightened promotional activities and increased BIG W clearance events. Woolworths' earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) before significant items fell by 14.2% to A$1.45bn, mainly due to reduced EBIT contributions from Australian Food and BIG W, coupled with an elevated LBIT [losses before interest and tax] though slightly offset by gains from Petstock post-acquisition. The Australian B2B sector experienced a 5.5% sales hike, with PFD Food Services business sales jumping 6.8%. Its EBIT followed suit with a 9.9% increase attributed to sales growth and enhanced utilisation of cross-dock warehouses. New Zealand Food also enjoyed positive momentum with a 2.7% rise in total sales as the business transformation unfolded, bolstered by strong fresh produce performances and e-commerce that contributed to an EBIT surge of 15.2%. Net profit after tax (NPAT) attributable to equity holders of the parent entity before significant items plummeted 20.6% to A$739m, mirroring lower EBIT and rising finance costs, but was partially alleviated by reduced tax expenses. Finally, the group cost of doing business (CODB) percentage swelled by 68 basis points due to increases in Australian Food and W Living. Within Australian Food, higher wages, item growth, e-commerce mix and increased depreciation and amortisation exerted pressure on the CODB. Meanwhile, BIG W grappled with stagnant sales which amplified CODB amidst wage inflation and other rising costs. Woolworths Group CEO Amanda Bardwell stated: 'Customer metrics have begun to improve following a challenging half which was impacted by industrial action and ongoing cost-of-living pressures. We remain committed to providing value to our customers in an environment where household budgets remain under pressure and customers continue to shop around. 'Our priorities for 2025 are clear and we are already underway. We have an opportunity to further improve the shopping experience for our customers. We are taking steps to simplify our business, and are committed to unlocking the full potential of the group.' "Woolworths reports mixed H1 FY25 as sales rise and NPAT dips " was originally created and published by Retail Insight Network, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
