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Overview of the industry
Australia, one of the most developed nations in the modern world, is endowed with good health and a diverse, highly nutritious and abundant food supplies. Australia has a commitment to social justice that seeks to promote equal access to resources, which includes food and health. Nevertheless, some communities and individuals are deprived of good nutrition and health for various reasons, especially the native Aboriginal communities mainly in rural areas (AIHW, 2012). The agency has the responsibility of monitoring and reporting data on health and morbidity in relation to nutrition and food at the local, community and national levels. Moreover, the national government has established an expert panel on food and nutrition monitoring and surveillance strategy, a section of the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia.
Between 2012 and 2013, the food and beverage processing industry produced more than $24 billion in value, which is more than 23% of the total GDP obtained from manufacturing and about 1.5% of the country’s total GDP. In fact, the industrial contribution to the economy by the food and nutrition industry is more than the contributions obtained from machinery and equipment, petroleum, chemical, coal and rubber. Noteworthy, the industry is also one of the most innovative sectors of the economy, with research being a key aspect of the innovation. For instance, in 2012 alone, the food and beverage processing industry consumed more than $540 million on research and development, with an aim of improving the quality, value and quantity of food and nutrients needed by the growing population.
Moreover, it is worth noting that the food and nutrition industry of Australia contributes to the country’s foreign exchange, with the country exporting large quantities of food products and importing significant quantities of products not available locally. For instance, the annual export of processed food and beverage products is about $18 billion while the import value is about $11 billion, which creates a significant and positive trade balance. Currently, Australia’s largest exports of food and beverage products, both processed and raw, include processed animal products such as meat, bacon, poultry, ham and dairy products. In addition, the country exports large quantities of wine, sugar, fruits and vegetables, oil and fat, beer and malt, flour and cereal products. Noteworthy, Japan is the largest importer of Australian food products.
Contribution to the society
In 2013-2014, the food processing industry employed more than 230,000 people. This represents about 24% of the total number of people employed in the nation’s manufacturing industry. In addition, the wider food industry employs more than 1.6 million people, including production, processing, manufacturing, trade and other areas concerned with food and nutrition. The total contribution of the food industry to the retail turnover is more than $130 billion per annum. The industry has a large number of sectors that provide employment opportunities. Among the major areas of the food and nutrition industry that provide employment opportunities for nutritionists and graduates of food and nutrition include public health nutrition, food processing and manufacturing, research and tertiary education on food and nutrition, sports nutrition, food media and marketing, food and nutrition consulting and self-employment sectors. All these sectors have diverse areas of specialization within the scope of promoting human access to food and nutrition (AIHW, 2012).
History and evolution of the food and nutrition industry in Australia
The Australian food and nutrition industry, like in most other developed nations, is a vital industry that not only contributes to economic development, but also to the general health of the society. Noteworthy, the food and nutrition industry, along with the health sector, is the main industry that directly supports human life, health and existence. Nobody can live without food and nutrients. The industry must remain active and expanding throughout. Like all parts of the world, the Australian food industry is an old human practice, which has evolved along with the human evolution. Prior to the immigration of the Europeans into Australia, the food industry was based on the traditional food practices, where communities domesticated animals and cultivated a wide variety of food crops as a source of nutrition. In addition, the native aboriginal communities engaged in hunting and gathering to increase their food resources and promote nutritional intake in their diets. While the industry was simple, some aspects of trade in the industry were evident. With the coming of the Europeans and other foreigners, the western style of food and nutrition industry emerged and evolved rapidly. The involvement of capitalism in food production, processing and trade grew rapidly between the 17th and 201st centuries, with large, multinational and regional corporations taking part in the sector. Currently, Australia boasts of a large food and nutrition industry with diverse areas of specialization, including production, processing, retailing, research, exportation and importation. Australia’s food and nutrition industry is significantly similar to those in other western and developed nations, including European nations, Canada, New Zealand, the US and Japan. It is characterized with self-sufficiency, application of technology, mechanization and innovation to promote human access to food and nutrition. In addition, large-scale food production and processing are some of the characteristics of the Australian food industry. Thus, it differs significantly from other food industries in the developing world, where large-scale food production and processing, mechanization, research and innovation are lacking.
Control and regulation of the Australian food and diet industry
A number of associations and peak bodies are responsible for representing the food and nutrition industry in Australia (DAA, 2015). They play a significant role in improving the quality of nutrition, quantity and quality of food as well as access to these resources for all people living in Australia. For example, the Dietitians Association of Australia (DAA) is a national association of the dieticians and other professionals in the industry. Established in 1983, DAA has branches in all parts of the country after superseding the Australian Association of Dietitians that had been established in 1976 (DAA, 2015). Currently, it represents more than 5,800 members with the vision of leading in dietetics, nutrition and food in order to promote individual and national health.
The Australian Native Food Industry Limited (ANFIL) is the national body established to represent all the interests of the native food industry in the country. It has some codes of conduct established to improve the quality of food and nutrition as well as enhance industrial development. For instance, it establishes a codex based on the international food standards, which provides information about the standards of foodstuffs, processing and information access to the industry and the generic food processing standards (Rayner, Boaz & Higginson, 2001). The food standards of Australia and New Zealand was established by the two nations in order to develop and administer the Australia new Zealand food standards code in order to improve food and nutrition quality and safety (Food standard Australia New Zealand, 2015). The OzFood is also an organization that undertakes investigations and surveillance of foodborne diseases in the country to ensure food safety.
Domestic and international application
Australian graduates of various fields within the human food industry such as dietitians, food scientists and technologists, food engineers and other professions have found employment in Australia and other parts of the world. Apart from the wide Australian industry described above, graduates from Australian colleges and universities work for various organizations, international community and businesses across the world. For instance, Australian companies have wide presence in New Zealand and other nations in the region, the Far East and Asia. They recruit Australian graduates in food industry and sent them to work in foreign branches. In addition, the Australian Government and non-governmental organizations hire Australian dietitians and send them to work overseas, including the developing nations often affected by drought and other disasters such as Africa, Caribbean nations like Haiti and some nations in Asia. These employees are responsible for promoting strategies for ensuring human access to quality, healthy and safe food.
Annotated Bibliography
DAA. (2015). About Dietitians Association of Australia. Web.
This website explains the roles of DAA in depth, including its mission, vision and pillars. It describes the governance, management and strategies the organization employees to achieve its objectives. In addition, the website describes the activities the organization has been taking, those in progress as well as the proposed projects. It also contains important information for guiding health professionals, dietitians, universities and other institutions as well as adverting materials. It also contains a large volume of publications and other materials in food and dietetics.
Australian Government Department of Industry and Science. (2015). About the food processing industry. Web.
This website is government-owned and provides critical information about the food processing industry in Australia. In particular, it describes the industry in depth, its nature, contributions to the society and economy, growth and future prospects. It contains important statistics about the industry, including the number of people employed, the contribution to the total GDP as well as the annual income obtained from the industry. It also contains additional information about the industry, especially in terms of publications and analysis of its potentials, weaknesses, strengths and opportunities for growth (Australian Government Department of Industry and Science, 2015).
Food Standard Australia New Zealand. (2015). Nutrition, health and related claims. Web.
This website is owned by the food Standards Australia New Zealand. It provides the public with important information regarding the code of standards for food and beverages in the two nations. It also provides adequate information on food quality issues such as diseases, food recalls, quality of imported foods and novel food products (Food Standard Australia New Zealand, 2015). The website also allows users to access information about the organization’s food standards code, consumer rights and obligations, the rights and roles of the industrial players and other information concerning the quality and safety of food products in Australia.
AIHW. Australia’s food & nutrition 2012. Sydney: AIHW
This book provides a detailed analysis and explanation of the state of the food and nutrition industry in Australia. It explains the importance of the food industry to the economy and society in the country. It builds on information from previous studies in the sector, including a book by the same author. It provides an overview of the global trends affecting the food and nutrition industry in Australia. In addition, it describes the policies and policy making in the control and regulation of food and nutrition in the country, including the problems, achievements and opportunities (AIHW, 2012).
Rayner, M., Boaz, A., & Higginson, C. (2001). Consumer use of health-related endorsements on food labels in the United Kingdom and Australia. Journal of nutrition education, 33(1), 24-30.
The aim of the study was to examine the consumers’ use of health-related food endorsements placed on food labels in Australia and the United Kingdom. The researchers used the United Kingdom, Tesco and Sainsbury’s as the study sample. A protocol analysis was used to examine the national heart foundation of Australia, a pick the tick program (Rayner, Boaz & Higginson, 2001). They interviewed each subject to investigate the use of food label endorsements. The study found that shoppers in Sainsbury’s and Australia did not use endorsements. On the other hand, the practice was common in Tesco, although rarely.
Mhurchu, C. N., & Gorton, D. (2007). Nutrition labels and claims in New Zealand and Australia: a review of use and understanding. Australian and New Zealand journal of public health, 31(2), 105-112.
The aim of the study was to determine the degree of use and understanding of nutrition labels as well as claims in both countries. The methodology involved a review of literature on the nutrition labeling in the two nations published up to 2005. Sixteen papers were obtained and analyzed. The researchers found that self-reported use of the labels and claims in the two nations was a common phenomenon. Nevertheless, the actual use and understanding of the same materials is limited. They reported that nutrition labels present an important opportunity for improving the food choices for consumers, especially at the points of purchase (Mhurchu & Gorton, 2007). However, the potential value is limited because consumer understanding is limited.
References
AIHW. (2012). Australia’s food & nutrition 2012. Sydney: AIHW
Australian Government Department of Industry and Science. (2015). About the food processing industry. Web.
Food Standard Australia New Zealand. (2015). Nutrition, health and related claims. Web.
Mhurchu, C. N., & Gorton, D. (2007). Nutrition labels and claims in New Zealand and Australia: a review of use and understanding. Australian and New Zealand journal of public health, 31(2), 105-112.
Rayner, M., Boaz, A., & Higginson, C. (2001). Consumer use of health-related endorsements on food labels in the United Kingdom and Australia. Journal of nutrition education, 33(1), 24-30.
DAA. (2015). About Dietitians Association of Australia. Web.
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