History of Nutrition Australia

Nutrition Australia is a non-government, non-profit, community-based organisation with offices across Australia. Nutrition Australia is an independent body that aims to promote the health and well-being of all Australians.

The Australian Nutrition Foundation Inc was founded in 1979 with Basil Hetzel as the first chair and became incorporated in 1981. The main aim was to provide a readily accessible source of reliable information on nutrition for interested professional groups and individuals, consumers, the media and industry. Nutrition Australia continues the work of the Australian Nutrition Foundation Inc (ANF) as Australia's peak community nutrition education body, to provide scientifically based nutrition information to encourage all Australians to achieve optimal health through food variety and physical activity.

As the Australian Nutrition Foundation Inc., Nutrition Australia has had a long history of working in public health nutrition; as a key nutrition information body for State and Commonwealth Health Departments; working extensively in the area of nutrition for children (both in early childhood and school aged) and their parents, adolescents, older Australians in nursing homes or in their own homes, and disadvantaged groups in the population; and the media.

Members of Nutrition Australia include the general public, dietitians, educators, other health professionals working in the area of nutrition, and some of Australia's most influential food and nutrition experts, together making Nutrition Australia a key nutrition voice in Australia today.

Nutrition Australia operates through a National Board who is responsible for policy and national programs. Offices in States and Territories respond to local needs and opportunities for nutrition education and health promotion. Nutrition Australia has staff with expertise in a range of disciplines. The range of services that Nutrition Australia offer include:

• Providing the latest on nutrition research, current food and health trends
• Co-ordination of the events in the annual National Nutrition Week campaign
• High-profile seminars for the general public and health professionals
• Extensive media and public speaking experience
• Media commentary
• Preparation and design of nutrition education publications
• Food industry consultancies
• Nutrition training and presentations for staff working in target population settings eg childcare, schools and aged care
• Menu assessments eg for childcare centres, school canteens, staff canteens, and aged care facilities

Nutrition Australia continues to work towards providing an independent, scientifically accurate voice for the community on topical nutrition issues and to advocate to government on nutrition-related matters such as food advertising to children, food labeling, ensuring a sustainable food supply and food security for all Australians.