Article: We munch on $754m in snacks
THE snack food industry is booming, adding to the nation’s obesity crisis.
The industry is worth $754 million a year in Australia, according to cereal and snack food producer Helgas, which has based its findings on a 2006-07 survey of 420 people.
Leading nutritionist Rosemary Stanton said it was the first time a dollar amount had been placed on the industry for some time.
She said snack foods were a major contributor to Australia’s obesity crisis.
Consumption of some snacks by people under 18 rose by as much as 136 per cent between 1985 and 1995—the last surveys to provide such figures.
Dr Stanton said the snack industry rarely provided a figure of its annual turnover.
“That ($754 million figure) is certainly a revelation,” she said.
“We know there are about 1800 or more snack foods on sale.
“But there is little information on snack food consumption, not since the last National Nutrition Survey in 1995.”
The Federal Government has committed to a further National Nutrition Survey in 2008-09.
Dr Stanton said snack foods were replacing the traditional three meals a day eating habit.
The Helgas research showed more than 80 per cent of those surveyed were reaching for a quick bite to eat each week.
Suellen Hinde
For more information please contact eatingsafe.com on 1300654622 or info@eatingsafe.com
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