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PHAA RECOMMENDATIONS
The Public Health Association of Australia recommends that the following actions be adopted:
Governments
- to commit to a vision for food that is integrated across all areas of government specifically incorporating health, social inclusion, agriculture and fisheries, education, treasury, innovation and the environment
- establish a national food strategy taskforce
- develop a national, integrated whole-of-government food policy with public interest at its core
- commit funds for its implementation and ensure in-built public accountability for progress
National Health and Medical Research Council
Ensure the current dietary guideline review reduces the burden of both chronic disease and addresses the re-emergence of deficiency related disease by:
- addressing the issues of over-nutrition and over-consumption
- encouraging as much diversity in the diet as possible, with an emphasis on whole foods and foods that have shown to be disease protective including nuts, seeds, plant proteins like legumes along with fruits and vegetables
- putting foods first and emphasising food patterns that have a strong evidence base for ensuring healthy development and prevention of chronic disease
- actively discouraging foods and styles of eating that have been shown to contribute to the burden of disease including salt, processed meat and sugary drinks, and diets high in refined carbohydrates or meat
- providing a platform for definitive and specific guidance on primary foods for a healthy diet
Consider the environmental impact of our food choices and develop public health nutrition recommendations that:
- reduce total consumption of animal products; reduce reliance on ruminant meat; and promote sustainable proteins like legumes, eggs and chicken
- promote in-season fruit, vegetables, legumes and grains that are grown using production methods appropriate to the region
- reduce foods that rely on packaging for their presentation and sale, for example bottled water
Consider the social inequalities in our society and ensure that:
- recommended diets are affordable on the lowest incomes
- recommendations are globally equitable and ethically responsible
- recommendations are ethical for those without a voice - including disadvantaged groups and future generations
Education sector
- ensure basic food literacy and skills education is available in all schools in Australia, as well as being available via community-based education initiatives
Public health and food professionals
- commit to improve knowledge and understanding of these significant areas
- register support for this initiative and stay up-to-date with research and developments at ACT NOW: Support A Future for Food
Food industry
- work with government and public health organisations and professionals to create food buying and consumption environments for Australians that protect and promote health, and are ecologically sustainable and socially equitable ? at a national and global level
- work to improve sustainable production practices and avoid excessive environmental impacts such as the unnecessary transport of food as a result of centralised market systems and unnecessary packaging
- minimise refined ingredients in manufactured foods and increase the number of products containing more whole foods
Communities and community-based organizations
- be involved in public debates around food and their food supply and register support at ACT NOW: Support A Future for Food
- communicate their ideas, concerns and perspectives in public forums and to their elected members
- choose foods that are good for the planet as well as good for themselves and their families
- limit wastage and refrigeration
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