Federal Government signals sweeping reforms for the food industry

The Australian Government Parliamentary Secretary for Health and Ageing, Catherine King, recently chaired the sixth meeting of the Food and Health Dialogue on 25 March 2011. This has massive implications for the industry as it is looking at everything from smaller portion sizes,  the reformulation of foods (to reduce salt, sugar, saturated fat) and the introduction of POS nutritional information.

Tracey Monaghan, Director of Quality Assurance ANZ, McDonald's Australia was the spokesperson for the industry at that event.

The Parliamentary Secretary Catherine King stated “With processed foods now forming a large part of the Australian diet, the influence of manufacturers, retailers and quick service restaurants over what we eat has never been greater,” Ms King said.

Members of the Food and Health Dialogue are:

• Ms Catherine King, Parliamentary Secretary for Health (Chair)
• Dr Lyn Roberts, Chief Executive Officer, National Heart Foundation of Australia
• Mr Andrew Hall, Director Corporate and Public Affairs, Woolworths
• Dr Manny Noakes, Senior Dietitian and Research Scientist, CSIRO
• Mr Michael Moore, Chief Executive Officer, Public Health Association of Australia
• Ms Kate Carnell, Chief Executive Officer Australian Food and Grocery Council
• Dr Amanda Lee, Director, Nutrition and Physical Activity Unit, Preventative Health Directorate, Queensland Health (state-territory representative)
• Ms Tracey Monaghan, Director of Quality Assurance ANZ, McDonald’s Australia (Quick Service Restaurant Forum representative)

They are holding category specific round-tables starting with soups, then processed poultry then pies.
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