As a world leader in researching, developing and manufacturing high-quality, safe and innovative processed foods, Australia has specialist expertise in products that can assist with overall health and wellness, known as better-for-you foods.
The raw ingredients for many of these foods come from Australia’s highly regarded clean, green and safe produce, including some of the world’s finest dairy, fruit, vegetables, grains, pulses, edible oils and honey. Australian farmers also grow many in-demand ‘superfoods’ such as nuts, avocados, berries and indigenous plants. Australia’s clean, green reputation is underpinned by the environmental stewardship of its farmers and land managers. Home to 60 per cent of the world’s organic farmland, Australia is well positioned to meet the global demand for organic products. Its food safety and quality control systems provide assurance for consumers who want to know the origins of their food, where it was grown, how it was made, how safe and healthy it is, and impact of its production on the environment. The country’s geographic isolation and stringent quarantine and monitoring regime also preserve its clean, green credentials. Australia’s size and geographic diversity mean manufacturers can source a variety of low-cost but high-quality ingredients from a large agricultural sector, transforming them into innovative better-for-you products for the retail, food service, sports, hospital and aged care markets.
To address the global increase in allergies and intolerances, Australian manufacturers have developed a broad range of food and beverages that are free from gluten, nuts, lactose and other ingredients considered to have an adverse impact on consumers’ health. Many products aim to be all-natural, free of artificial colours, flavours and genetically modified organisms, and low in or free from fat, salt and sugar
For many years, the Australian scientific and manufacturing sectors have been developing fortified and functional food and beverages that have added micronutrients to enhance health and wellbeing. These range from probiotic yoghurts and drinks to breakfast cereals fortified with omega-3, calcium or antioxidants, and spreadable oils fortified with plant sterols to reduce cholesterol. Australia is also known for the quality of its infant formula and baby food, manufactured using the finest ingredients and informed by the latest scientific and nutritional research. Australian baby food is lower in salt and sugar than international competitors, and contains optimum levels of vitamins and minerals. Like many countries worldwide, Australia has an ageing population. Food manufacturers have developed a wide range of products to assist the elderly to eat with ease and obtain the nutrients they need, as well as maintain their independence with meals that can be delivered to their home or to aged care facilities or hospitals. Australia also has strong capability in sports nutrition and weight loss products. Manufacturers use premium raw ingredients and work with sports dieticians and food technologists to develop products that enhance the health and wellbeing of athletes and consumers.
Australia’s industry-driven, governmentsupported research programs in food technology offer opportunities for international R&D and commercialisation collaborations. Australia’s national science agency CSIRO ranks in the top 0.1 per cent of global institutions for citations in the areas of Plant and Animal Science, Agricultural Sciences, Environment/ Ecology and Geosciences.1 As a world leader in researching, developing and manufacturing high-quality, safe and innovative processed foods, Australia has specialist expertise in products that can assist with overall health and wellness, known as better-for-you foods. AUSTRALIAN CAPABILITY IN BETTER-FOR-YOU FOODS 03 The Australian food industry is also exportfocused and has considerable experience tailoring products to meet customers’ preferences. Global food companies can incorporate Australian food ingredients and food production technologies into their supply chains to improve efficiencies, reduce costs and foster the development of products with new differentiated attributes.
This report has been prepared by the Commonwealth of Australia represented by the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade). The report is a general overview and is not intended to provide exhaustive coverage of the topic. The information is made available on the understanding that the Commonwealth of Australia is not providing professional advice. For full details or to find out more follow this link: https://www.austrade.gov.au/International/Buy/Australian-industry-capabilities/Food-and-Beverage
