'FoodSwitch' app now available to help consumers make healthier food choices

Consumers now have access to a new app "FoodSwitch " which is designed to help people make healthier food choices and fight against non-communicable diseases.

The FoodSwitch app has been created by the Fiji National University and the George Institute for Global Health Australia and it can used by consumers to scan the bar codes on food products to have an understanding of the nutritional information and suggestions on healthier alternatives.

While speaking at the launch, President Jioji Konrote says the Ministry of Health is working in partnership with the Education Ministry and other groups to ensure teaching about healthy eating starts from school.

Konrote says everyone knows that eating well is important for one's health and wellbeing but knowing what to eat and how to eat and how to choose healthier options is not always that easy.

He says every year the government spends $400 million to fight against non-communicable diseases in the country.

He said there is a need for Fijians to work together to tackle the problem of non-communicable diseases.

The FoodSwitch app has details on approximately 6000 packaged food and beverage products collected from 5 major supermarkets in Fiji.

Dean of Fiji National University's College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, William May says the FoodSwitch app will provide policy directions to consumers and help them find solutions to non-communicable diseases that affect our communities.

The Executive Director of the George Institute for Global Health Australia, Professor Bruce Neal says unhealthy diets are the leading cause of death and disability around the world and rapid rise in obesity which is fuelled by the abundance of packaged foods high in sugar, salt, and fat in our supermarkets.

Neal says with the help of the FoodSwitch app, Fijians will make healthier choices when shopping at the supermarket.

Meanwhile, CEO of Consumer Council of Fiji, Seema Shandil says the FoodSwitch app is an innovative effort and consumers should make great use of it to make healthier food choices.