2021 media releases

Leading public health groups call for National Obesity Prevention Strategy to be strengthened

24 Nov 2021
The Obesity Policy Coalition (OPC) is calling for the National Obesity Prevention Strategy (NOPS) to reflect new data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), which shows overweight and obesity is soon set to overtake tobacco smoking as the leading burden of disease.

Jane Martin, Obesity Policy Coalition, comment on Victorian Government's Healthy Kids, Healthy Futures action plan

29 Oct 2021
Obesity Policy Coalition (OPC) welcomes the Victorian Government's Healthy Kids, Healthy Futures action plan, announced today by the Minister of Health.

OPC calls for release of National Obesity Strategy following AIHW report

20 Aug 2021
Obesity is now set to overtake tobacco as the leading risk factor contributing to disease burden in Australia, according to a new report released this week by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.

More than a spoonful of sugar - New research reveals the harmful sugars hiding in toddler snack foods

10 Aug 2021
New research published today by CHOICE has revealed many toddler snack products are packed with harmful sugars, are highly processed and often what's contained in the pack bears little resemblance to what's promised on the label.

OPC supports calls for health levy on sugary drinks

9 Jun 2021
Executive Manager of the Obesity Policy Coalition Jane Martin welcomed the AMA's calls today, urging the Australian Government to follow one of the 45 jurisdictions around the world that have already introduced a levy, which has seen a reduction in consumption of sugary drinks and in some cases, reformulation of drinks.

Public health and consumer organisations call for food regulatory reform to put the health of Australians and New Zealanders first

8 Jun 2021
The Australian Government is redesigning our food regulatory system for Australia and New Zealand. This will set the foundation for how food is made, sold and marketed long into the future.

OPC applauds UK's move to stop companies marketing unhealthy food on television and online

12 May 2021
The Obesity Policy Coalition (OPC) has welcomed today's commitment by the UK Government to stop the processed food industry from targeting children with a total ban of unhealthy food advertisements online and prior to 9pm on TV, and is urging the Australian Government to follow suit.

Swamped by sugary drinks ads: consumer call for health ignored as big beverage spends big bucks to sweeten Australians

10 May 2021
New research has revealed that advertising spend on sugary drinks is almost double the spend on all other drink options combined, contradicting the beverage industry's own rhetoric and sales data that shows consumer preference for low and no added sugar drink options.

7 out of 10 Australians support push to protect children from unhealthy food marketing

4 Mar 2021
The Obesity Policy Coalition has released 'Brands off our kids!', a report highlighting the tactics used by the processed food industry to target children with unhealthy food marketing and calling on government to set higher standards and stop the processed food industry setting its own rules.

Jane Martin, Obesity Policy Coalition, comment on Food Forum decision to maintain status quo in treatment of juices under the Health Star Rating (HSR) system

12 Feb 2021
The Obesity Policy Coalition (OPC) has welcomed the decision by the Australian and New Zealand Ministerial Forum on Food Regulation (the Forum), to ensure the Health Star Rating on fruit juice accurately reflects its sugar content and is consistent with Australian Dietary Guidelines advice to limit fruit juice consumption because of its high energy density and low fibre content.