A public health campaign from Queensland aimed at helping people understand the kilojoule displays in takeaway outlets has been repurposed for Canberra consumers.
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ACT Health's Kilojoules on the Menu campaign, to launch on Monday, will include posters, digital displays and an online kilojoule calculator, each with accessible information about how many kilojoules are in popular fast food items such as fried chicken or Frozen Coke.
Since 2013, businesses forming part of a franchise with seven or more stores in Canberra or 50 or more stores throughout Australia have been required to display the kilojoule content of the standardised food items on their menus.
Their menu must also include the statement "The average adult daily energy intake is 8700kJ".
A 2017 review of the legislation found while most fast food outlets were compliant with the laws only 15 per cent of consumers' recent purchases were influenced by kilojoule information and 37 per cent of Canberrans understood neither kilojoules nor calories.
Health Minister Meegan Fitzharris said the new Kilojoules on the Menu campaign formed part of the ACT government's strategy to combat rising rates of obesity.
More than 60 per cent of adults and one in four children are overweight or obese in the ACT.
"The Kilojoules on the Menu campaign aims to improve understanding of an individual’s daily kilojoule intake and encourage consumers to take notice of, read, understand and use kilojoule displays when selecting their food," Ms Fitzharris said.
"This will help consumers make more informed decisions about their health."
The campaign will be on display at Gungahlin Marketplace, the Tuggeranong Hyperdome, Westfield Belconnen, Westfield Woden and the Canberra Centre.
It will be supported by a dedicated website and social media.
