Media releases

The Obesity Policy Coalition (OPC) has welcomed the federal Opposition's strong actions to tackle obesity in Australia.

After nearly ten years of self-regulatory codes governing what food companies can promote to kids, the Obesity Policy Coalition is calling on both political parties to introduce stronger restrictions and tough penalties to protect children.

The Obesity Policy Coalition (OPC) has welcomed the Queensland Government's move to ban junk food promotions on all Government-owned advertising spaces. Jane Martin, Executive Manager of the OPC, said the move signalled a key step towards reducing the state's childhood obesity rates and improving diets.

New South Wales is taking the most action of any Australian government to improve the healthiness of foods in school canteens and hospitals, while other states lag behind, according to Deakin University's report card on the status of Australia's obesity prevention policies.

The Advertising Standards Community Panel (the Panel) found McDonald's in breach of the Quick Service Restaurant Initiative for Responsible Advertising and Marketing to Children (QSRI) after a complaint by the Obesity Policy Coalition (OPC) was upheld.

Public health groups are calling on elite sporting clubs to clean their act up as new research shows mums and dads are sick of major sports codes partnering with junk food companies that put profits before health.

The Obesity Policy Coalition has welcomed a Senate Inquiry report into the Obesity Epidemic in Australia as an important step toward saving Australians from a lifetime of chronic disease and even premature death.

With the 35th national draft starting today, health experts are urging the AFL to pick healthier sponsors, as a new study exposes the extent to which Aussie kids are bombarded with junk food and sugary drink branding on TV during the national game.

As new data reveals the poor quality of Australians diets across the country, the Obesity Policy Coalition (OPC) is calling the urgent development of the recently announced national obesity strategy to tackle Australia's poor diets and spiralling obesity epidemic.

Jane Martin, Executive Manager of the Obesity Policy Coalition has welcomed today's important commitment from COAG Health ministers to develop a national strategy on obesity.

Childhood overweight and obesity rates in Victoria are sky rocketing faster than any other state, with new data showing almost 1 in 3 kids are now overweight or obese.

The Obesity Policy Coalition (OPC) has welcomed the Federal Court's decision to order Heinz to pay $2.25 million for falsely marketing Heinz Shredz as a healthy snack for toddlers.

The Obesity Policy Coalition (OPC) has applauded the Queensland Government for committing to restrict sugary drinks and junk foods in public hospitals and health care facilities, as well as phasing out junk food advertising near schools, public transport hubs, and sports grounds.

The Obesity Policy Coalition has taken aim at the food industry for its failure to protect children from exposure to junk food marketing, despite introducing self-regulated codes in 2009 that promised to do just that.

Statement from Jane Martin, Obesity Policy Coalition Executive Manager, following the announcement of the Federal Government’s public consultation into added sugar labelling in Australia. Added sugar can have major implications for a person’s health. So the Obesity Policy Coalition (OPC) believes it is critical for Australian consumers to be aware of the amount of added sugar in packaged foods, to allow them to make informed choices about the products they choose to buy. At a minimum...