Nutrition
The Ministry provides advice to the Government on nutrition and physical activity for healthy New Zealanders.
It ensures that nutrition and physical activity recommendations for health practitioners, and health education resources, for consumers, have a sound evidence base.
The Ministry works across Government, often with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) and Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ), non-government organisations (NGOs), international government and NGOs, and academics on nutrition and physical activity issues.
This section contains Food and Nutrition Guidelines for healthy New Zealanders, and information about the Food and Beverage Classification System. There is also information on topical nutrition issues such as iodine and folic acid.
In this section
- This series of population-specific food and nutrition guidelines background papers provide the Ministry’s evidence base for nutrition policy advice and support the implementation of strategies such as the New Zealand Health Strategy. Read more
- Nutrient Reference Values refer to the levels of recommended intakes of essential nutrients, such as vitamins and minerals. Read more
- Currently, the Ministry of Health does not recommend baby-led weaning as population health advice in New Zealand. Read more
- Although only required in very small amounts, iodine is an essential nutrient. Information on the status of Iodine in New Zealand. Read more
- Folate is a B vitamin that is important in cell growth and reproduction. Information about folate, and New Zealand's policy on folic acid supplementation for reducing neural tube defects. Read more
- Now called fuelled4life, the Food and Beverage Classification System (FBCS) is managed by the Heart Foundation and is a collaborative initiative that involves the education, health and food industry sectors working together to make it easier to have healthier food in schools and early childhood education services. Read more
- Publications relating to food and nutrition in New Zealand. Read more
- A survey of the accuracy of volume markings on feeding bottles for babies has found that a number of bottles sold in New Zealand have inaccurate markings. Read more
YourHealth topics
Guidance and resources for the public on healthy eating and nutrition.
Related areas
Page last updated: 23 January 2013
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