Low fat, health food alternatives meeting consumer demand

14/4/03
Demand for healthier eating alternatives is opening up new markets for the producers of healthy, low-fat and nutritious food products in Western Australia, Health Minister Bob Kucera said today.
Announcing the winners of the Department of Health's 2003 WA Nutrition Awards, Mr Kucera said WA companies were responding well to the demand by producing food products low in fat, sugar and salt.
The WA Nutrition Awards recognise local food producers, manufacturers and marketers committed to providing consumers with healthy low fat and nutritious food products.
"Nutrition is high among our population health priorities and the food industry plays a very important part in that objective," Mr Kucera said.
"Obesity is rapidly emerging as a significant public health problem threatening many of the health gains we have achieved in the last century.
"In Australia, the number of overweight or obese adults and children has almost doubled in the last 20 years, with takeaway foods a major contributing factor."
The Minister said research had shown most children ate fast food at least once a week, almost 10 per cent ate it two or more times a week, and overweight children were most likely to eat takeaway foods two or more times a week.
"These statistics send a clear message to food manufacturers that the public needs healthier food products on supermarket shelves, in school canteens and convenience stores," he said.
"By producing healthier products, the winners of the WA Nutrition Awards are providing a healthy choice for consumers and helping address obesity and overweight issues."
Seventeen high quality healthy food products from nine WA companies received a WA Nutrition Award today, each meeting strict nutrition and food safety criteria.
"These manufacturers have taken the right step to invest in food products that are lower in fat, sugar and salt and can help curb the increasing overweight and obesity trend," Mr Kucera said.
"By working with companies we can encourage improved nutritional composition of food products which makes a healthy diet more accessible to all Western Australians."
A total of 121 WA food products now carry the WA Nutrition Award logo.
The 2003 Awards have been developed by the Department of Health in collaboration with the Western Australian School Canteen Association, Curtin University of Technology and the Food Technology Association of WA.
Minister's office: 9213 7000
List of award winners follows:
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH 2003 WA NUTRITION AWARDS
Winning Products
CATEGORY - GENERAL

• Spinach and Sweetcorn Qizza
• Zucchini and Sweet Potato Qizza
  Qizza Naturally (company based in O'Connor)
  
• Chicken Kebab
  The Kebab Company (company based in West Perth)
  
• Teriyaki chicken sushi rolls
• California sushi rolls
• Cooked tuna sushi rolls
• Vegetable sushi rolls
  Jas Sushi (company based in Northbridge)
  
• Tip Top Up Bread
  George Weston Foods (company based in Spearwood)
  
• Lite Coffee Chill
• Heart Plus Milk
  Peters and Browns (company based in Balcatta)
  
• Avocado Oil
  The Good Oil Farm (company based in Carabooda)
  
• Goat's Cheese
  Kervella Cheese (company based in Gidgegannup)
  
• Bean Salad
• Roasted Sesame Mix (Plain, Garlic, Thai, Onion, Tandoori, Italian Herb, Cajun and Chilli Flavours)
• Mixed Salad
  Better Sprouts (company based in O'Connor)

• Spinach and Sweetcorn Qizza
• Zucchini and Sweet Potato Qizza
  Qizza Naturally (company based in O'Connor)

• Teriyaki chicken sushi rolls
• California sushi rolls
• Vegetable sushi rolls
• Smoked salmon sushi rolls
  Jas Sushi (company based in Northbridge)

• Vegetarian Lasagna
  De Paolis Pasta Products (company based in Balcatta)
  
• Spinach and Sweetcorn Qizza
• Zucchini and Sweet Potato Qizza
  Qizza Naturally (company based in O'Connor)
  
• Teriyaki chicken sushi rolls
• California sushi rolls
• Cooked Tuna sushi rolls
• Vegetable sushi rolls
  Jas Sushi (company based in Northbridge)

• Spinach and Sweetcorn Qizza
• Zucchini and Sweet Potato Qizza
  Qizza Naturally (company based in O'Connor)

• Heart Plus Milk
  Peters and Brownes (company based in Balcatta)

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