EAT FOR HEALTH – AusTRALiAn diETARy guidELinEs
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G4 Australia’s progress toward a sustainable food system
A systems approach to food consumption enables consideration of the many factors involved in getting food
from farm to consumer, as well as the implications for health. In recognition of the complex relationship between
sustainable food production and consumption, improved environmental practices are being applied to existing
components of the food system. These initiatives mainly focus on resource efficiencies (e.g. reducing energy,
water and land usage). However, as previously mentioned, this involves interaction and consideration for the
entire food supply to ensure any changes are not counterproductive for other areas.^1040
Consumers and producers are the primary drivers for the direction of the food system. With increasing consumer
demand for sustainably produced foods, many producers are changing what they produce and how they produce
it.^1040 These changes are generally well supported by industry, with many implementing initiatives that encourage
sustainable production practices.1063-1065 Industry is also responsible for funding much of the current research
in this area, with millions of dollars invested annually into research and development activities leading to more
sustainable practices while also ensuring economic and social viability.
The Australian and other governments are also active participants in planning for and managing a sustainable food
system. Australia is committed to reducing threats to biodiversity, through nationally agreed strategies such as
Australia’s Biodiversity Conservation Strategy 2010-2030 and through internationally agreed conventions such as
the united Nations’ Convention on Biological Diversity.^1066 These impacts on biodiversity are key to any approach
to sustainable food consumption because conserving biodiversity is an essential part of safeguarding the Earth’s
biological support systems.1056,1066
Relevant state, territory and national departments are also promoting policies, programs and regulations that
foster and support ecologically sustainable development both broadly and at the food system level.1059,1067,1068
However, there is room for improvement. Strengthening these arrangements through the development of the
National Food Plan will help Australia’s food system respond to new opportunities and challenges.^1059
As the planning and management of a sustainable food system progresses at government and industry levels,
it will be important to link the strong evidence on health and nutrition with the accruing evidence on the
environmentally sustainable attributes of food consumption habits.
G5 Sustainability and food consumption
Health, food choices and environmental consequences can all be influenced by behaviour change. Changing
food consumption habits can influence demand on the food system and consequently the pressure on natural
resources and biodiversity.1042,1056,1059 Discussing sustainability in the context of consumption habits not only
has the potential to improve population health but also supports the objective of achieving a sustainable food
supply with improved food security.1042,1056,1059 While the current evidence is not yet strong enough to make
recommendations about specific foods in terms of ‘more sustainable choices’, it is suggested that food intake
that is aligned with better health outcomes, has a lower environmental impact overall compared to most current
western diets.1042,1046,1056,1070-1073 The nutrient composition of foods is important and people should be encouraged
to consume a wide variety of foods from the Five Food Groups to not only meet the nutrients required for health
and wellbeing but also contribute to better environmental outcomes.8,1056
Consumers can contribute to sustainability efforts through the dietary patterns they choose to follow.^1056 As the
wealth of our nation has increased and the availability of food has shifted, the foods produced have also changed
to meet consumer preferences.1056,1058 This has resulted in a move toward greater consumption of processed foods
that are high in saturated fat, added sugars and added salt.1041,1046 It is suggested that changing consumer food
choices can make a bigger difference to overall household sustainability than reducing water and energy use.^1040
Therefore, avoiding overconsumption of food and food wastage should form the primary areas of focus by health
professionals in communicating sustainable food consumption habits.^1056
Concerns about, and interest in, both health and the environment will continue to shape our dietary patterns.
The practical considerations in G1 aimed at improving sustainability are easily aligned with the recommendations
in these Guidelines as they aim for people to eat only to their nutritional requirements.