10 April, 2013 : New research: Killer-joules and traffic lights on fast food menus make for healthier choices
A coalition of leading health agencies is calling on the Victorian Government to implement kilojoule and traffic light labelling on fast food menus in light of new research showing the combination of information can lead consumers to make healthier choices.
12 November, 2012 : Health groups release detailed investigation into failure of junk food marketing codes
Today, the Obesity Policy Coalition, a coalition of leading health bodies, has released one of the most comprehensive investigations into Australia’s self-regulatory system for food marketing ever undertaken.
10 October, 2012 : Salt, fat and energy reduction targets only valuable if monitored
The government and the Australian public should be wary of the Australian Food and Grocery Council's (AFGC) Healthier Australia Commitment, which was launched today, according to the Obesity Policy Coalition (OPC).
27 September, 2012 : Vic report: Obesity crisis grossly understated
The Victorian Health Monitor has found that obesity prevalence in Victoria has been grossly underestimated. The report found that, when measured, almost 25 per cent of the Victorian population has a BMI in the obese category, which is much higher than the 17 per cent rate based on self-reporting.
12 September, 2012 : Health groups say parents & kids will benefit from ACT Greens' junk food ad commitment
The OPC has backed an election commitment announced today by the ACT Greens to restrict junk food advertising directed at children. The proposed plan would mean junk food advertising was no longer able to be shown on TV when large numbers of children are watching.
13 August, 2012 : Post-Olympics: Who really owns our children's sport?
Amid post-Olympics calls to review Australia's sporting performance, a coalition of health agencies has urged the government to restrict junk food companies from investing in junior sport and instead assist organisations to find more appropriate sponsors.
3 August, 2012 : Australians will support government initiatives to tackle obesity
There is strong public support for the introduction of policy initiatives to support healthy eating.
7 June, 2012 : Walt Disney's junk food ad ban exposes TV's influence on kids
Walt Disney has announced it will institute a junk food advertising ban on programs for children across its networks.
11 May, 2012 : Mac off - Get junk food out of junior sports
A coalition of leading health agencies, the Obesity Policy Coalition is calling on the Victorian Government to kick junk food brand promotion out of children's sports in light of the latest incursion by McDonald's into junior football yesterday - the Mac Pack.
6 March, 2012 : Vic Govt’s Healthy Eating Enterprise will help tackle obesity time bomb
The Obesity Policy Coalition has applauded the Victorian Government’s Healthy Eating Enterprise stating it is going to the heart of the issue and tackling some of the key drivers of obesity by integrating and embedding principles around healthy eating where people work, play and live.
9 December, 2011 : Labelling forum must put health on front of pack
The Food Regulation Forum must use the next six months to lead the development of an effective, easy to understand front-of-pack labelling system that puts the health of Australians above corporate profits, according to the Obesity Policy Coalition.
7 December, 2011 : It's a Knockout! ACMA report delivers blow to self-regulation
A report released today by the media watchdog, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), further highlights the inadequacy of self-regulation of junk food advertising, according to Jane Martin, senior policy adviser for the Obesity Policy Coalition.
30 November, 2011 : Corporate wealth wins over consumer health: labelling review
The Federal Government has bowed to food industry pressure by rejecting traffic light labels in its response to the Labelling Logic review today, according to Jane Martin, senior policy adviser for the Obesity Policy Coalition.
21 November, 2011 : OPC urges Senate to support junk ad bill
The Obesity Policy Coalition (OPC) has urged all Federal MPs to support a Bill to be introduced into the Senate tomorrow to protect children from junk food advertising.
16 November, 2011 : Public supports tougher regulation of unhealthy food advertising
93% of South Australians agree the time has come to put a stop to unhealthy food producers from targeting kids through glitzy television ads and marketing ploys.
28 October, 2011 : United call for traffic lights defies industry objections
Australia’s leading public health, medical and consumer groups urge governments to put consumers first and green light traffic light labelling.
5 September, 2011 : Nine in ten consumers give traffic light labels green light
Research released today by the Obesity Policy Coalition (OPC) reveals Australian grocery buyers are overwhelmingly (87%) in favour of clearer nutrition labels on packaged food in the form of traffic light ratings.
25 August, 2011 : OPC encourages fast food chains to follow KFC's example
Today’s announcement by KFC Australia that it will no longer provide toys with children’s meals has been welcomed by the Obesity Policy Coalition (OPC), who urged other fast food companies to follow suit.
27 May, 2011 : Overweight and obesity at tipping point
Figures released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics indicate that urgent government attention is required to tip the scales on Australia's rising obesity epidemic.
10 May, 2011 : Health coalition applauds Tasmania for taking the lead on junk food ads
The Obesity Policy Coalition has applauded Tasmanian Minister for Consumer Protection, Nick McKim, for taking the lead in protecting children from junk food advertising by calling for an investigation today.
9 May, 2011 : Health groups release landmark blueprint to tackle key driver of childhood obesity
The Obesity Policy Coalition has today released the first Australian plan for
legislation that offers real protection for children from unhealthy food
advertising – one of the key drivers of childhood obesity.
5 April, 2011 : Sanitarium proves industry can ‘green light’ traffic labels
A proposed front of pack traffic light labelling system launched by Sanitarium today is a big step forward in terms of helping consumers’ make informed decisions about the food they purchase, according to the Obesity Policy Coalition (OPC).
15 February, 2011 : Parents duped by sports star endorsement of junk food
Endorsements by well-known sports personalities and selective nutrition claims on food packaging influence parents to buy unhealthy food for their children, according to Cancer Council Victoria’s new study.
28 January, 2011 : Traffic light labels a win for consumers' health
The Obesity Policy Coalition has applauded the food labelling review's recommendations for traffic light labelling on front of food packages and fast food menus as a victory for consumers and the health of Australians.
19 January, 2011 : Junk food advertising to kids is rife
A report released by the Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC) today highlights how ineffective self-regulation has been in decreasing children's exposure to junk food advertising.
2 December, 2010 : 87% of Australians support traffic light labelling
OPC urges government to put health before industry interests when review is presented tomorrow.
30 November, 2010 : Fast food advertisers permitted to plate up junk through Junior Masterchef
A recent decision by the Advertising Standards Board that Junior Masterchef is not primarily directed to children and not covered by food industry advertising codes highlights how ineffective self-regulation is in protecting children from junk food marketing.
22 November, 2010 : Obesity action plan needed to direct new health agency
The Obesity Policy Coalition is calling on the Federal Government to develop and implement a 5-year action plan on obesity.
8 November, 2010 : Call for all states to follow NSW and Vic on menu labelling
The Obesity Policy Coalition (OPC) is calling on all states and territories to follow the lead of the New South Wales and Victorian Governments in announcing new laws that require food chain outlets to include kilojoule counts for each item on their me
18 October, 2010 : Junk food tax needs to be on the table at Tax Summit
The Obesity Policy Coalition (OPC) has called on the Federal Government to include serious discussion of food pricing initiatives, including a junk food tax and healthy food subsidies, at the upcoming Tax Summit.
8 September, 2010 : Junk food tax must fund price cuts for healthy foods
The Obesity Policy Coalition has responded to the Assessing Cost-Effectiveness in Prevention report (ACE-Prevention) by supporting the recommendation of a 10% junk food tax but only if it was implemented in concert with subsidies to reduce the cost of healthy foods.
12 August, 2010 : Hospital bed bonanza won’t help when 1/3 of population is obese
A lack of focus on prevention in both major parties’ health policies means hospitals will struggle to keep pace with the obesity epidemic, according to Jane Martin, Senior Policy Adviser for the Obesity Policy Coalition.
21 July, 2010 : Junk food levy first serious initiative to put accountability back on food companies
The Australian Greens’ proposal to require junk food and alcohol companies to choose between providing health information in their advertising or paying a levy is a good first step in putting some accountability for Australia’s rising obesity rates back on unhealthy food manufacturers, according to Prof. Boyd Swinburn from the Obesity Policy Coalition.
23 June, 2010 : Urgent action required as obesity toll continues to blow out
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) report released today highlights the need for the Government to stop pandering to industry and get serious about preventing overweight and obesity, according to Jane Martin, senior policy adviser for the Obesity Policy Coalition.
12 May, 2010 : Big fat hole in health reform
Australia’s hospitals will continue to be a hungry beast consuming resources unless restrictions on junk food advertising and taxes on unhealthy food, to combat the drivers of obesity, are addressed - according to Jane Martin, Senior Policy Adviser, Obesity Policy Coalition.
21 January, 2010 : Fast food advertising proves self-regulation is a charade
A major fast food outlet is making a mockery of self-regulation, flouting a recent ruling by the Advertising Standards Board (ASB) and continuing to broadcast ads for an unsuitable children’s meal, according to a coalition of peak health bodies.
24 December, 2009 : Fast food advertisers found to flout their own rules
A coalition of peak health bodies congratulates the Advertising Standards Board for upholding two complaints about fast food advertising to children.
3 September, 2009 : Industry must accept role in obesity battle
A national coalition of peak health organisations say the cost of obesity is spiralling over $60 billion a year pointing to the urgent need to limit children's exposure to junk food advertising.
1 September, 2009 : Final kids TV advertising standards leave Australian children vulnerable to exploitation
The final version of the Children's Television Standards released by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has failed to protect our children.
1 September, 2009 : Fat chance to fix obesity without government keeping the pressure on industry
A coalition of peak health bodies has welcomed the obesity recommendations of the National Preventative Health Taskforce, but warns the government needs to be strong and hold industry to account while focusing on interventions that will deliver the greatest gains to our community.
19 July, 2009 : Consumers want government to regulate SMS, email, web and pay TV marketing to kids
Australian consumers want the government to stamp out the many avenues used by junk food companies to reach children such as games on websites, email promotions, text messages and pay TV.
9 June, 2009 : Would you like a cartoon character with that?
Australian consumers are sick of sneaky tactics used by food marketers such as using movie characters, toys and competitions to promote pester power and the purchase of unhealthy foods and drinks and want the government to intervene, according to the Obesity Policy Coalition’s senior policy adviser, Ms Jane Martin.
2 June, 2009 : Obesity inquiry lacks teeth on ads and labelling: Peak health groups say self-regulation has had its day
Peak health groups have warned that the recommendations by the parliamentary inquiry into obesity released yesterday have given the junk food industry a free pass and are out of step with public demands.
30 April, 2009 : ShamBurger video evens stakes on junk food advertising blitz to children
Parents, leading health and consumer groups have renewed calls for tougher advertising regulations, after releasing figures warning that Australian children are force fed about 2200 junk food advertisements on television per year.
2 April, 2009 : Health groups slam Coca-Cola for misleading consumers
Soft-drink giant Coca-Cola will be required to set the record straight and correct any potentially misleading impressions given by their “Myth Busting” campaign.
30 September, 2008 : Shoppers show red light to confusing food labels
Health and consumer groups have called for an overhaul of food packaging regulations as new research reveals industry-favoured nutrition labels confuse shoppers when trying to make healthy choices.
28 August, 2008 : OPC calls for national approach to junk food advertising
The Obesity Policy Coalition (OPC) today applauded the South Australian and Queensland governments for their leadership in considering ways to protect young people from junk food advertising.
28 August, 2008 : ACMA's children's television standards fail to protect children
As childhood obesity continues to escalate in Australia, the Obesity Policy Coalition (OPC) has condemned new draft Children’s Television Standards for failing to adequately protect the interests of children, and says broadcasters and the food industry are the only winners.
18 March, 2008 : OPC backs Brumby's obesity plan but says other practical measures need to be addressed
The Obesity Policy Coalition (OPC) today applauded the Victorian state government’s plan to screen Victoria’s 2.6 million workers in a bid to reduce rates of obesity, but called on the Brumby government to also address the drivers of the problem.
9 September, 2007 : Obesity experts join forces to fight obesity and propose GST for sugary breakfast cereals
A new coalition of leading health experts is calling for urgent government action to stem the escalating rates of overweight and obesity in children.
24 August, 2007 : OPC calls for government regulation of food marketing to children
The Obesity Policy Coalition has condemned the Advertising Standards Bureau’s dismissal of a complaint against food advertisements featuring cartoon ogre Shrek, and says government regulation of all forms of food marketing to children is urgently required to protect children from marketers’ underhand promotional tactics.
31 July, 2007 : Obesity Coalition welcomes ALP's promise to consider stamping out junk food marketing
The Obesity Policy Coalition has welcomed today’s announcement by the Australian Labor Party to consider banning aggressive and pervasive marketing of unhealthy food to children.