VicHealth

02/12/2025

Parents shouldn’t need a science degree to understand what’s in their toddler’s food.

Drew’s story shows why clearer rules and higher standards for baby and toddler foods are urgently needed.

We’re proud to support Food for Health Alliance’s Kids Are Sweet Enough campaign calling for stronger protections for families.

Learn more www.foodforhealthalliance.org.au/campaigns/kids-are-sweet-enough

"Why are toddler food companies allowed to get away with misleading parents of babies and toddlers in this way?"

Meet Generation Victoria - GenV dad Drew. He's a dad with a two-year-old from Melbourne, and nutrition is really important to him.

Like many parents, he once assumed that packaged foods for babies and toddlers were tightly regulated in Australia.

But the sad reality is they are not.

“If I buy these products, I feel I should be able to trust that what's being sold to me is nutritious," he said.

"It shouldn’t take a science degree to figure out what’s really in the food," he said.

A recent survey of over 7,000 GenV (short for Generation Victoria) parents shows that nearly all parents believe these foods should be better regulated.

If you share Drew's concerns, sign up to support our Kids Are Sweet Enough campaign today.

With your help, we're calling for baby and toddler food companies to be held to higher standards in Australia. More information on our website: https://bit.ly/3IKRMen | VicHealth

02/12/2025

December means loads of delicious, summer produce … even if the weather feels more “mid-April” in parts of Victoria RN 🌧️

Make the most of what’s in season with this simple mango and avocado salad.

Thanks Eating Healthy with No Money No Time for the inspo!

27/11/2025

24 hours. Hundreds of hands. One brand new farm for Colac Secondary College.

We’re delighted to be part of this incredible project led by Colac Otway Shire Council Colac Secondary College and Farm My School with support from Australia’s favourite green thumb Costa Georgiadis Official 🌱

In just 24 hours, hundreds of locals turned bare ground into more than 2km of thriving garden beds. It’s a powerful reminder of what communities can achieve together!

We were inspired by everyone who picked up a shovel, donated, organised or cheered from the sidelines. We can’t wait to see Colac’s new school farm grow.

Learn more about how we’re supporting this project: https://www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/funding/local-partnerships-for-food-first

25/11/2025

Each week in Melbourne’s west, women are coming together to learn sewing, tie-dye and batik, a traditional art using wax and dye to create colourful patterns ✂️

But it’s about so much more than new skills. Kontiki Cultural Women Empowerment Inc workshops help boost confidence, spark creativity and build lifelong friendships.

They’re a welcoming space where culture, community (and dancing) are celebrated 💛

Organised by Kontiki Cultural Women Empowerment Inc, the program is empowering women to connect and create, one stitch at a time.

We’re proud to support this initiative alongside Living Hope Disability Services AU and the Australian African Foundation of Retention and Opportunity, through our Growing Healthy Communities grants.

👉Learn more about this and other exciting projects we fund on our website:
https://www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/our-health/be-healthy-blog/stitching-together-connection-and-creat…

24/11/2025

🥭 Mango lovers rejoice. Mango season is here!

In season from September to April – but at their juiciest and most delicious in December – mangoes are the ultimate summer snack.

Try them:
✨ Fresh on their own
🥣 Sliced over yoghurt
🍹 Blended into a smoothie
🍧 Pureed and frozen for a cool treat.

Tasty and packed with vitamins, what’s not to love! ☀️

20/11/2025

Don’t walk away empty-handed like Gretchen Wieners.

Sports clubs have the power to bring us together – there's so much joy in kids getting the chance to shine on the field while families connect on the sidelines.

However too often, companies selling harmful products like alcohol, sugary drinks, and gambling sponsor local clubs and sport facilities. They then use this as an opportunity to target young people with their marketing – which is so not fetch.

That’s why we’re cheering on the legends at the City of Ballarat who’ve introduced a Harmful Industries Declaration and Sponsorship Guide. The guide makes it easier for clubs and organisations to add harmful industries to the burn book.

It also helps clubs to find better sponsors – ones who care about health and wellbeing. How much do we love this? The limit does not exist.

Know a sports club that wants to make a change? Tag them below and see how Ballarat is making it happen here: https://www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/city-of-ballarat-healthy-sponsorship-guidelines

20/11/2025

New research alert: Did you know some packaged toddler foods contain as much sugar as marshmallows or gummy bears? New research conducted by Murdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI) in partnership with us and Food for Health Alliance has revealed toddlers are regularly eating these products from an early age.

The survey findings reinforce the need for policy and regulatory action to improve how these foods are made and marketed to protect parents and families.

Want to learn more about the findings? Read more here: https://lnkd.in/giSPVZkv

Most toddler food products sold in Aussie supermarkets do not meet nutrition standards set by the World Health Organization.

Now a largest-of-its-kind survey of more than 7,000 parents has exposed just how often these foods being eaten by young Australians.

According to the landmark research by Murdoch Rese, 8 in 10 (80%) children aged 18 months to 4 years ate packaged toddler foods in the month of the survey.

Nearly half (43%) consumed packaged toddler foods on five or more days per week in the last month.

This data makes it clearer than ever that regulation around these foods, including how much salt and sugar can go into them, must be prioritised to protect young children's health.

Read the full media release: https://bit.ly/4o2oaIg

18/11/2025

14/11/2025

Health Star Ratings were meant to be on 70% of products by today… but only 37% have them.

Australians deserve clear, simple info to help spot healthier packaged foods in the supermarket, no detective work required. 🕵️‍♂️⭐

Let’s make Health Star Ratings mandatory, so everyone gets the info they need to pick the healthiest food for their families.

The George Institute for Global Health Food for Health Alliance

13/11/2025

🥗 Big news for 62 Victorian primary schools!

In partnership with Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation, we're supporting these schools with grants to deliver hands-on, inclusive food education through the Kitchen Garden Program.

From tackling food insecurity to rebuilding school gardens, these communities are creating nourishing learning environments that help kids thrive.

Over the next two years, students will grow, harvest, prepare and share fresh food — building confidence, food literacy and lifelong skills.

Congratulations to all 62 successful schools across the state! 🌱🍅🥕🍓

10/11/2025

Avocados are synonymous with Aussie breakfasts – and for good reason.

They’re delicious smashed on toast or even blended into a smoothie. They’re also versatile and pair well with other ingredients like cherry tomatoes and eggs.

Avocadoes aren’t just yummy, they’re also made up of the good stuff. Think vitamins and nutrients, including healthy fats.

So, the next time you’re doing a food shop, do yourself a favour and grab some avocados – your body and taste buds will thank you!