Fast Food education campaign launched by NSW Food Authority
On 1 March 2012 the NSW Minister for Primary Industries, Katrina Hodgkinson launched a new education campaign which aims to encourage consumers to make informed choices about fast and ready-to-go food.
Ms Hodgkinson said the campaign is called “The 8700kJ campaign” will educate the public about their kilojoule intake and give them easy access to information in order to make “balanced food choices”.
The 8700kJ Campaign follows legislation which introduced mandatory kilojoule labelling on menu boards from 1 February 2012.
“Fast food chains with twenty or more outlets in NSW are now required to display the kilojoule content of all items on their menus.
“The average Australian consumes 8700 kilojoules of food and drink each day, yet only five per cent of people are aware of how many kilojoules they should be consuming.” Ms Hodgkinson said.
NSW Food Authority research shows that almost two-thirds of people recently surveyed about their purchasing patterns at fast food outlets said they buy ready-to-go foods at least once a week.
The 8700kJ Campaign’s ambassador and nutritionist, Dr Joanna McMillan said the 8700kJ concept is unique and arms consumers with the tools to take responsibility for their eating habits.
“Knowing the number of kilojoules in each food and beverage item before you buy makes an enormous difference in the decision making process,” Dr McMillan said.
NSW Food Authority Chief Scientist, Dr Lisa Szabo said that research indicates consumers want to be able to make smart food decisions despite fast and snack food consumption being on the rise and patronage at ready-to-go food outlets doubling in the past 10 years.
“The NSW Government has found there is a strong desire to make informed eating decisions but until now Australians haven’t had the tools to do so. The 8700kJ campaign is about providing these tools for people to make balanced decisions about food without telling them what to eat,” Ms Hodgkinson said.
For more information visit www.8700.com.au to calculate the ideal kilojoule intake.
An 8700kJ app will also be available on iPhone, iPad and and Android.
