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The Victorian Food
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MAJOR POLICY GUIDELINES
The Victorian Government is committed to encouraging the production and promotion of foods which enhance the well-being and nutritional health of all Victorians.
Victoria is a major producer and exporter of agricultural products, and of value added and processed food. Linking food and nutrition policies acknowledges both the importance of good nutrition in reducing ill-health in the community, and the importance of the food system as a major employer and contributor to the economy.
The need for concerted and co-operative effort was recognised in 1987 when the first Food and Nutrition Policy was adopted by the Victorian Government. The 1995 Food and Nutrition Policy has been written to reflect changes which have occurred since then. The Policy provides guidance to the Government, the food industry and the consumer to ensure the nutrition quality of the Victorian food supply is maintained, and that all Victorians have the opportunity to make healthy food choices.
The underlying nutrition guidelines for the Policy are the Australian Dietary Guidelines (see Appendices 1 & 2). These form the best consensus of scientific knowledge and public health principles currently available. For most of the population the issue is one of making nutrition choices more consistent with these guidelines.
The Policy will also support and encourage research aimed at gaining a better understanding of the role of nutrition in health as well as that which identifies nutrition issues of concern to consumers, Government, and nutrition professionals.
The Policy endorses a number of National, State, and Local initiatives, including :
- The objectives and recommendations of the National Food and Nutrition Policy;
- The role of the National Food Authority in developing national food standards;
- The National Health and Medical Research Council's Dietary Guidelines for Australians (1992) and for Children and Adolescents (1995)
- National Health Goals and Targets for nutrition as set out in the report 'Better Health Outcomes for Australians
- The National Farmers Federation New Horizons strategy for environmentally appropriate food production
- Australia's commitment to the Global Plan of Action for Nutrition.
