Locally owned and independent
December 14, 2023
The Northern Rivers Times
HEALTH & SENIORS NEWS 45
New research reveals how babies and toddlers are targeted with unhealthy foods Public Health Association of Australia / Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health Babies and toddlers can’t read or buy food yet, but new research reveals that they are being targeted with aggressive marketing in the baby and toddler aisle at the supermarket. The research, published today in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, has prompted health experts to call for regulation of on-pack labelling and promotional techniques used on baby and toddler food. Authors analysed 230 product packs found in two major supermarkets to uncover the marketing techniques used by manufacturers of products for children aged from just six months to three years. They found that 9 in 10 food packages displayed techniques specifically designed to target young children. 55 percent of all the
products reviewed included child appealing visuals such as bright colours and graphics. More than a third of all packages included images of a baby or child on the front of the package, and one in six included recognisable branded characters. Lead author and VicHealth Postdoctoral Researcher, Dr Alexandra Chung from Monash University, says the food industry deliberately uses childtargeted marketing techniques alongside deceptive messaging aimed at parents. “Food marketers are deliberately using child-appealing images to attract the attention of very young children
and make their product seem fun and desirable. Unfortunately, many of these products are highly processed and are not recommended by health and nutrition experts. “Our research also found that parents are being bombarded with on-pack messaging. 96 percent of products used an image of a healthy food on the front of the pack – even though this might only make-up a small proportion of the product. 58 percent of products made claims about nutritional content, while 52 percent of product packs said the product was organic and 51 percent used claims relating to the product being natural. “Toddlers and babies
are being marketed to by the baby food industry, and when the children reach for these products parents feel reassured from bogus health claims that it’s a good choice to go in their shopping trolley. The reality is that most of these commercially produced products contain too much sugar and are not nutritionally adequate.” Dr Chung says the study also raises concerns about the sheer amount of snack and sugary foods targeted at toddlers in supermarkets. “50 percent of the toddler foods found in these major supermarkets were snack foods and 20 percent would be classified as confectionary based on
the sugar content. These included things like fruit bars and yoghurt buttons. “85 percent of all baby and toddler products highlighted their convenient packaging – like squeezable pouches, single servings or individually wrapped. There is a lot of marketing messaging around convenient products that can be offered on-the-go, and this distracts from the importance of designated mealtimes consumed at the dinner table with the family,” Dr Chung says. Professor Kathryn Backholer, a Vice President for the Public Health Association of Australia and a co-author on the study, says that the research points to
the need for tighter regulation to protect our youngest children’s diets from industry influence. “This research shows we can’t rely on big food companies spruiking products to babies and toddlers to do the right thing. Whilst there are some labelling regulations for baby and toddler foods in Australia, currently these do not go far enough to protect children’s diets. Regulation is needed to ensure that these foods are nutritionally adequate and do not mislead consumers with deceptive labelling or marketing.” “It’s not fair to leave it up to parents to navigate sneaky marketing and check ingredient lists and nutrition panels for accurate information or to have to battle pester power. To shield our youngest children’s diets from commercial interests and promote good eating habits, Government needs to step in and stop relying on industry selfregulation.”
New Disability Sector Awards to offer cash boost to Advocates in NSW, QLD & VIC National Disability Leadership Organisation Three new Disability Sector Awards with a prize of $2000 each were today unveiled as part of the National Disability Leadership Organisation’s (NDLO) push to recognise the work of advocates in the disability sector. The awards, for outstanding achievement in the fields of Child Advocacy, Adult Advocacy and Emerging Leader - Sector Advocacy were a step in the right direction as advocacy work is often unpaid and unrelenting, NDLO spokesperson Mr River Night said today. “Disability advocates often live with a disability themselves
and work tirelessly to champion the rights and needs of people living with disability,” Mr Night said. Whether through lobbying, education forums, a media presence or fundraising, these individuals work to break down the barriers to inclusion. “I am thrilled to announce the creation of these three new categories to celebrate the work of the remarkable individuals who go above and beyond in their dedication to effecting positive change.” Mr Night said advocates work to bring about equal access to employment, education, the arts, public and health services, and to actively combat
discrimination. He said with the work around the Royal Commission into abuse in the sector and the NDIS review, the role of advocates in the community was even more significant. “Their efforts deserve our recognition and the community’s deepest gratitude - these awards are the first of their kind and are designed to recognise the vital work of advocates in our community. Each comes with a $2000 contribution to help support their work.” Mr Night said three new awards would be presented alongside a slate of 7 existing sector awards at the 2024 Disability Sector Awards presented in Queensland, New South Wales and
Victoria. The full list of awards is: Advocacy (New) · For outstanding contribution in the field of Advocacy for Adults · For outstanding contribution in the field of Child Advocacy · 2024 Emerging Leader – Sector Advocacy Existing Award Categories · Contemporary Practice · Sector Innovation · Leadership · Above and Beyond · Frontline Manager · Team Award · Support Worker of the Year Queenslanders with Disability Network (QDN) welcome the awards. CEO, Ms Michelle Moss said the
announcement marks a significant milestone in recognising the efforts of advocates within the disability sector, particularly those often overlooked. “Advocacy plays an important role in shaping and influencing change for individuals and the communities we live in.” “The new Disability Sector Awards are a step in the right direction, acknowledging the invaluable contributions made by advocates, who often do this work as volunteers with unwavering dedication.” “The Awards and financial support reflect the value of advocates in the disability sector, and the important work they do.”. Nominations for the 2024 Disability
Sector Awards in all states are open and we invite individuals, organisations, participants, friends and families to nominate these special individuals for all categories. Detailed information about each award category and nominations can be made viawww.ndlo. org.au. Tickets for the Queensland and New South Wales awards are now on sale via the website. Awards will be presented at statebased galas on · Qld March 1, Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre · NSW, May 24, Doltone House, Darling Island · Victoria, October 18, Venue to be released.
