In a complex food environment, policy changes needed to improve children’s health
New research by Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI), co-funded by VicHealth, shows young Australian children are regularly eating packaged toddler food products from an early age, many of which do not support good health.
Now a largest-of-its-kind survey of more than 7,000 Victorian parents who are part of MCRI's GenV (Generation Victoria) study has filled a knowledge gap, exposing just how often these foods are eaten by young Australians aged 1.5 to 4 years old.
Researchers found 8 in 10 (80%) toddlers ate packaged toddler food1 in the month of the survey. The study also found that among children who have tried these products 9 in 10 (90%) started eating them within the first 12 months of life, while nearly half (43%) consumed these products on five or more days per week in the last month.
Paediatrician and Scientific Director at GenV, Professor Melissa Wake, said many of these packaged foods are marketed in ways that make them seem healthier than they really are.
“As a paediatrician, I know the early years are when understanding what’s happening for children and families can make a real difference.”
“Murdoch Children’s Research Institute is proud to deliver this landmark study through GenV to help policymakers understand just how often young children are eating packaged foods, with many starting from an early age.”
The findings reinforce the need for policy and regulatory action to improve how these foods are made and marketed to protect parents and families.
There are currently no regulations in Australia specifically for toddler foods, including around how much sugar and salt can go into them. But earlier this year Food Ministers gave the standard setter, Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ), the green light to progress regulations in this area.
Executive Manager of Food for Health Alliance, Jane Martin, commends this positive move by governments but notes it must be prioritised to protect young children’s health.
“Currently, there are too many products in supermarkets masquerading as ‘wholesome’ or ‘nutritious’ options, when in fact they pack as much sugar as gummy bears or marshmallows. For the sake of our children’s health, this cannot be allowed to continue.”
“We want to see all toddler foods in Australia held to standards that the World Health Organization recommends. This includes limits on salt and sugar in these foods and ensuring they are marketed responsibly.”
VicHealth CEO, Professor Anna Peeters AM, said the research provides strong evidence for making our food environments places that promote nourishing food over ultra-processed unhealthy products.
“Families want to do what’s best for their children, but the current system doesn’t always make that easy,” Professor Peeters said.
“With clearer standards and responsible marketing, every parent can quickly identify which foods on supermarket shelves are supporting their child’s health, not working against it.”
In response to the research, Victorian Minister for Health, The Hon. Mary-Anne Thomas, said: “We established GenV to improve the health and wellbeing of Victorians for generations to come. And we're
continuing to back this important research, because we know how important a healthy diet is for growing bodies."
-ENDS-
About GenV
GenV (Generation Victoria) is a research initiative led from Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI). It’s Australia’s largest study of children and parents, designed to help discover and test new approaches to improve health and wellbeing outcomes for generations to come.
About MCRI
Murdoch Children's Research Institute is the largest child health research institute in Australia committed to making discoveries and developing treatments to improve child and adolescent health in Australia and around the world.