The Australian Dietary Guidelines are set to be reviewed for the first time in seven years by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC).
Minister for Health, Greg Hunt said the Council is to be funded for the review which would ensure the guidelines remained a trusted resource for Australians.
“The review of the guidelines will ensure that Government dietary advice is based on the best and most recent scientific evidence about the types and amount of food we need to have a long and healthy life,” Mr Hunt said.
“A healthy diet is essential to help lower the risk of high cholesterol, high blood pressure and obesity as well as chronic diseases such as type two diabetes, cardiovascular disease and some types of cancers,” he said.
“By preventing disease and the disease risk factors, significant suffering can be averted and the costs to our health system reduced.”
Mr Hunt said the NHMRC would begin reviewing the guidelines soon, with the first a review of the latest nutrition science research and evidence from Australia and overseas.
He said consultation with stakeholders would be undertaken throughout the review.
The Minister with portfolio responsibility for food regulation, Senator Richard Colbeck said a review of the dietary guidelines was an opportunity to shape nutrition policy and programs.
“The Health Star Rating system featured on packaged grocery items is underpinned by dietary guidelines and it is important to ensure this system is based on robust and up to date evidence,” Senator Colbeck said.
