INDUSTRY NEWS
Nuts for Life- Key objectives update
22
Towards a high-level health claim for nuts Over recent years, Nuts for Life has worked towards securing a high-level health claim( HLHC) for nuts. A HLHC links a food to a serious disease( e. g., cardiovascular disease) or a disease biomarker( e. g., blood cholesterol) and requires an extensive scientific dossier, meeting Food Standards Australia New Zealand’ s( FSANZ) strict criteria. The evidence must show, with a high degree of certainty, a causal relationship between the food and the health effect. Initially, Nuts for Life partnered with the University of Wollongong to examine the potential for a HLHC on nuts and reduced cardiovascular disease( CVD) risk. While findings indicated that eating nuts contributed to an overall CVD risk reduction, the evidence did not meet FSANZ’ s stringent requirements, and the application was subsequently withdrawn. The focus then shifted to cholesterol reduction, with a consultant group assessing newly-published international research, considering the potential for a HLHC application in this new area. Results indicated:
• All nuts( collectively)- Low likelihood of success for a HLHC on cholesterol lowering.
• Almonds or walnuts- Moderate likelihood of success due to more consistent evidence.
A targeted claim for almonds or walnuts could be considered by those industries, potentially via a new systematic literature review. Nuts for Life has shared these findings with representatives from both the Almond Board of Australia and the Australian Walnut Industry Association. A general-level health claim( available since 2015) remains in use for the industry to access( subject to the product meeting the FSANZ requirements for making a claim): A regular 30g handful of nuts such as [ insert nut types ] when eaten as part of a healthy, varied diet contributes to heart health.
Nuts and energy labelling Despite strong evidence showing nuts do not cause weight gain, many consumers believe otherwise.
In A Nutshell- Spring 2025 Vol 26 Issue 3
To address this, Nuts for Life supported a University of Wollongong PhD project investigating metabolisable energy- the energy the body absorbs from food. For nuts, this can be up to 26 % lower than values on nutrition labels. Researchers explored whether labels should reflect this lower value. However, surveys and focus groups with consumers, health professionals, and industry found that changing labels could be confusing and could also be costly, take considerable time, and have a limited impact on consumer behaviour. Instead, Nuts for Life is addressing misconceptions through an evidencebased communications toolkit, built around three key stories:
• The weighty truth – Nuts do not increase body weight. At least 19 systematic reviews show that nuts do not cause weight gain.
• The vanishing calorie – Not all calories are equal. Nut calories are partly offset by reduced subsequent food intake, lower metabolisable energy( 5 – 26 % less than on labels), and higher satiety.
• The metabolic advantage – Nuts may support long-term weight regulation via gut microbiota benefits, reduced inflammation, improved insulin sensitivity, and lower fasting insulin.
Campaign activities include:
• Webinar: Reframing the calorie equation
• A suite of four explanatory infographics
• Exhibitions and keynote presentations at RACGP and Healthy Food Guide conferences
• Scientific publication and food policy advocacy. Australian Dietary Guidelines review In July 2020, the National Health and Medical Research Council began reviewing the Australian Dietary Guidelines. While nuts are currently included, they are under-emphasised, not recommended daily, and sometimes discouraged due to their energy density. Nuts for Life is advocating for a daily minimum recommendation of 30g and greater prominence in the guidelines. Actions to date include:
• Submitting over 100 scientific research papers to NHMRC
• Developing three podcasts
• Hosting an in-person key opinion leader event
• Conducting market research with health professionals
• Hosting a webinar
• Producing a dietary guidance report
• Disseminating content through social media, newsletters, industry articles and the website.
Contact us You can reach Nuts for Life on 02 9460 0111, or via email: Belinda Neville, Program Manager: belinda. neville @ nutsforlife. com. au Maree Hall, Digital and Communications Manager: maree. hall @ nutsforlife. com. au Or follow Nuts for Life on LinkedIn: https:// www. linkedin. com / company / nuts-for-life