Plain packaging for high-calorie foods won’t work, experts say

Australian food industry experts have resolutely dismissed the idea of plain packaging for high-calorie foods as a solution to the nation’s obesity epidemic.

Debating the topic at the 46th Annual Australian Institute of Food Science Technology (AIFST) Convention, the panel concluded that plain packaging is inappropriate and unlikely to work.

Instead, the panel offered a range of other concepts that address the complex issue of obesity.

“Despite the rise of the celebrity chef, we are seeing a deskilling in cooking,” said dietitian Professor Sandra Capra, University of Queensland. “It’s led to a general disconnect with food, poor knowledge of what’s in a dish and the amount we should be eating. We desperately need to improve food education.”

“The industry needs to put more investment into tertiary education to ensure Australia’s universities are producing the graduates the food industry needs to drive the innovation that will address Australia’s future food issues, including obesity,” added James Thomas, Kelly Scientific Resources.

Vijay Rajendram, CEO of Neptune Bio-Innovations, voiced his support for the new front-of-pack labelling system, calling it “an initiative that will motivate the industry to develop innovative solutions for high-quality, nutritious food products”.

“When we are eating high-calorie, low-nutrient foods, there may be a risk that we are overeating in an attempt to meet our nutritional needs,” said Vic Cherikoff, winner of the 2013 AIFST Food Industry Innovation Award.

“We need to look at maximising nutrient content of foods - both processed and those at the farm gate - to meet our needs and reduce the risk of overeating.”

More information about the AIFST Convention is available from www.aifst.asn.au/convention.htm.