As a nation, Australia is endowed with good health and one of the most diverse, nutritious and attractive food supplies in the world. Australia also has a commitment to
social justice which seeks to eliminate differences in access and equity within the population, including inequalities in nutritional status and health. Nevertheless, there are Australians who cannot or do not buy and eat foods conducive to good nutrition and health.
The impetus for Australia’s Food & Nutrition stems from the introduction by the Australian Government in September 1992 of the National Food and Nutrition Policy.
One of four priority objectives of the National Food and Nutrition Policy was to establish an ongoing program of food and nutrition monitoring and surveillance in Australia. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare was identified in the Policy as the central agency for the implementation of a strategy to meet this objective, with a
responsibility for monitoring and reporting health and morbidity data in relation to food and nutrition at the whole community level as well as for subgroups in the
population. Australia's food & nutrition is the first step towards meeting the Policy objective.
