Australians' diets are currently sub-optimal, with the majority of people consuming inadequate amounts of core foods and too many discretionary foods. This has negative impacts on population health, including through increased rates of overweight and obesity and a range of associated chronic diseases.

Exposure to marketing for unhealthy foods and drinks can influence food choices and dietary intake. This is especially true in childhood, when children are forming food habits and marketing can be a powerful socialisation agent. Current measures to reduce children's exposure to unhealthy food marketing in Australia are predominantly industry-led and voluntary in nature, with minimal regulatory protections in place.  

The Australian Government is investing in a feasibility study on options to limit unhealthy food marketing to children. The study will provide a better understanding of the options available to limit such marketing, including relevant costs and benefits, feasibility, acceptability, impact on priority populations and monitoring and evaluation implications.

The consultation paper has been informed by literature reviews on:

1) the nature and extent of Australian children’s exposure to food marketing;

2) the impact of this marketing on children’s diet-related outcomes;

3) the national and international regulatory landscape governing marketing practices for food and other commodities; and

4) the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of food marketing policies.

The findings from the consultation will inform the list of policy options to be considered. The costs and benefits of these options will be analysed and inform the final recommendations provided to Government.