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Modernising Australian food law to address ultra-processed foods

Berk Eker

Alternative Law Journal2026https://doi.org/10.1177/1037969x261422783article
ABDC B
Weight
0.50

Abstract

Ultra-processed foods supply 42 per cent of Australians’ dietary energy and are now conclusively linked to higher risks of obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and increased mortality. Yet Australian food law treats danger chiefly as acute contamination rather than foreseeable chronic harm. This article argues that the existing concepts of ‘unsafe food’ in the Food Acts and ‘acceptable quality’ in s 54 of the Australian Consumer Law already accommodate chronic metabolic risk when interpreted in line with contemporary evidence. It sets out a practical reform package using nutrient ceilings, warning labels, marketing controls, stronger enforcement and expanded public-interest standing.

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https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1177/1037969x261422783

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@article{berk2026,
  title        = {{Modernising Australian food law to address ultra-processed foods}},
  author       = {Berk Eker},
  journal      = {Alternative Law Journal},
  year         = {2026},
  doi          = {https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1177/1037969x261422783},
}

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Modernising Australian food law to address ultra-processed foods

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Evidence weight

0.50

Balanced mode · F 0.40 / M 0.15 / V 0.05 / R 0.40

F · citation impact0.50 × 0.4 = 0.20
M · momentum0.50 × 0.15 = 0.07
V · venue signal0.50 × 0.05 = 0.03
R · text relevance †0.50 × 0.4 = 0.20

† Text relevance is estimated at 0.50 on the detail page — for your query’s actual relevance score, open this paper from a search result.