Benchmarking the Nutrition-Related Policies and Commitments of Major Food Companies in Australia, 2018

Abstract

The food industry has an important role to play in efforts to improve population diets. This study aimed to benchmark the comprehensiveness, specificity and transparency of nutrition-related policies and commitments of major food companies in Australia. In 2018, we applied the Business Impact Assessment on Obesity and Population Level Nutrition (BIA-Obesity) tool and process to quantitatively assess company policies across six domains. Thirty-four companies operating in Australia were assessed, including the largest packaged food and non-alcoholic beverage manufacturers (n = 19), supermarkets (n = 4) and quick-service restaurants (n = 11). Publicly available company information was collected, supplemented by information gathered through engagement with company representatives. Sixteen out of 34 companies (47%) engaged with data collection processes. Company scores ranged from 3/100 to 71/100 (median: 40.5/100), with substantial variation by sector, company and domain. This study demonstrated that, while some food companies had made commitments to address population nutrition and obesity-related issues, the overall response from the food industry fell short of global benchmarks of good practice. Future studies should assess both company policies and practices. In the absence of stronger industry action, government regulations, such as mandatory front-of-pack nutrition labelling and restrictions on unhealthy food marketing, are urgently needed.

Price promotions offered by quick service restaurants in Australia: analysis from an obesity prevention perspective

“…At the point that we conducted this study, we found that the lowest average energy content of children's combination deals offered by Oporto was 2500 kJ. Previous research, conducted in 2018 (40) , found that Subway had a commitment to providing a healthier side and drink option as the default option in their children's combination deals. Our results indicated that they are adhering to this commitment, with all children's combination deals offered by Subway classified as 'amber' (when the default sides and drinks were selected).…”

Assessment of the Commitments and Performance of the European Food Industry to Improve Population Nutrition

“…The median overall BIA-Obesity score across food industries in Europe was lower than what was found in Australia and New Zealand (21% vs. 41% and 38%, respectively). Previous studies showed that scores typically increase for companies engaging with the BIA-Obesity [ 24 , 26 , 28 ]. As such the difference in scores is likely due to the European assessment being based on only publicly available data, whereas for Australia and New Zealand the assessment included internal policy information provided by companies [ 26 , 28 ].…”

“…Previous studies showed that scores typically increase for companies engaging with the BIA-Obesity [ 24 , 26 , 28 ]. As such the difference in scores is likely due to the European assessment being based on only publicly available data, whereas for Australia and New Zealand the assessment included internal policy information provided by companies [ 26 , 28 ]. Regardless of the root of the lower BIA-Obesity score, the lack of comprehensiveness, specificity and transparency of the publicly available commitments is concerning in light of their influence on food environments [ 10 , 32 – 34 ].…”

Policy Inertia on Regulating Food Marketing to Children: A Case Study of Malaysia

“…These concerns include children’s exposures to unhealthy food marketing and their vulnerability to its power [ 11 , 15 , 88 ], as well as poor media literacy education to moderate consumption of advertised foods [ 89 ]. Furthermore, the majority of the prominent food companies in Malaysia had poorer food industry commitments and disclosures related to promotion practices, compared to other countries [ 90 , 91 ]. Such local evidence highlights the need to enact stricter and comprehensive regulatory food marketing policies as a priority.…”