The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has released new food consumption data revealing that Australians aren’t buying enough fruit or vegetables and are instead purchasing too much food high in salt.
Director of Health at ABS, Caitlin Szigetvari said the report, Apparent Consumption of Selected Foodstuffs, Australia, 2018–19, represented sales of foods from supermarkets, grocery stores, convenience and speciality stores, which were then compared to recommendations in the 2013 Australian Dietary Guidelines.
“The apparent daily consumption of fruit was below the recommended average two serves per day, at 1.5 serves per person,” Ms Szigetvari said.
“In comparison, vegetables were well below the recommended average five serves per day, at just 2.3 serves,” she said.
“The average daily amount of apparent sodium consumption was 3,140 milligrams per person.
“This is 1.6 times the recommended daily intake of 2,000 milligrams per person.”
Ms Szigetvari said high intakes of sodium could increase blood pressure, which could increase the risk of developing heart and kidney disease.
“Other major findings from the data indicate that buying habits reflect seasonal patterns,” she said.
“The average apparent consumption of all foods was higher during the summer (1,622 grams) than winter months (1,476 grams), with non-alcoholic beverages the highest in the summer months due to a peak in the purchase of soft drinks over the festive season.”
She said that in 2018-19 overall, an estimated 14.1 million tonnes of foods and non-alcoholic beverages were purchased, and the total dietary energy available from the food averaged 8,770 kJ per person per day.
The ABS’s full report can be accessed at this PS News link.
