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Australia’s Ultra-Processed Food Problem
12/17/2025
Australia’s Ultra-Processed Food Problem
Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are everywhere - and growing evidence shows they’re harming our health. In this episode of The Beat, we unpack the latest findings from the Lancet Ultra-Processed Foods Series, exploring what UPFs are, how they affect heart health, and why they dominate Australian diets. We also look at a pivotal moment for Australia’s food system. The national food regulatory framework is under review, and proposed reforms to the FSANZ Act could allow ultra-processed foods into the market with less scrutiny - without public health protections built in. Joined by Lancet Series co-author Dr Phillip Baker from the University of Sydney and Heart Foundation Senior Nutrition Advisor Nikita Muller, we examine what’s driving UPF consumption, which policy solutions are working overseas, and why transparency and strong public health safeguards in Australia’s food laws matter - so healthy choices become the easier choice.
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