IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jijerp/v20y2023i4p3146-d1064679.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Healthy Food Prices Increased More Than the Prices of Unhealthy Options during the COVID-19 Pandemic and Concurrent Challenges to the Food System

Author

Listed:
  • Meron Lewis

    (School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Herston 4006, Australia)

  • Lisa-Maree Herron

    (School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Herston 4006, Australia)

  • Mark D. Chatfield

    (School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Herston 4006, Australia)

  • Ru Chyi Tan

    (School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Herston 4006, Australia)

  • Alana Dale

    (School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Herston 4006, Australia)

  • Stephen Nash

    (School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Herston 4006, Australia)

  • Amanda J. Lee

    (School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Herston 4006, Australia)

Abstract

Food prices have escalated due to impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on global food systems, and other regional shocks and stressors including climate change and war. Few studies have applied a health lens to identify the most affected foods. This study aimed to assess costs and affordability of habitual (unhealthy) diets and recommended (healthy, equitable and more sustainable) diets and their components in Greater Brisbane, Queensland, Australia from 2019 to 2022 using the Healthy Diets Australian Standardised Affordability and Pricing protocol. Affordability was determined for reference households at three levels of income: median, minimum wage, and welfare-dependent. The recommended diet cost increased 17.9%; mostly in the last year when the prices of healthy foods, such as fruit, vegetables and legumes, healthy fats/oils, grains, and meats/alternatives, increased by 12.8%. In contrast, the cost of the unhealthy foods and drinks in the habitual diet ‘only’ increased 9.0% from 2019 to 2022, and 7.0% from 2021 to 2022. An exception was the cost of unhealthy take-away foods which increased by 14.7% over 2019–2022. With government COVID-19-related payments, for the first time recommended diets were affordable for all and food security and diets improved in 2020. However, the special payments were withdrawn in 2021, and recommended diets became 11.5% less affordable. Permanently increasing welfare support and providing an adequate minimum wage, while keeping basic, healthy foods GST-free and increasing GST to 20% on unhealthy foods, would improve food security and diet-related health inequities. Development of a Consumer Price Index specifically for healthy food would help highlight health risks during economic downturns.

Suggested Citation

  • Meron Lewis & Lisa-Maree Herron & Mark D. Chatfield & Ru Chyi Tan & Alana Dale & Stephen Nash & Amanda J. Lee, 2023. "Healthy Food Prices Increased More Than the Prices of Unhealthy Options during the COVID-19 Pandemic and Concurrent Challenges to the Food System," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-17, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:4:p:3146-:d:1064679
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/20/4/3146/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/20/4/3146/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Timothy J. Landrigan & Deborah A. Kerr & Satvinder S. Dhaliwal & Christina M. Pollard, 2018. "Protocol for the Development of a Food Stress Index to Identify Households Most at Risk of Food Insecurity in Western Australia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(1), pages 1-9, December.
    2. Amanda Lee & Meron Lewis, 2018. "Testing the Price of Healthy and Current Diets in Remote Aboriginal Communities to Improve Food Security: Development of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Healthy Diets ASAP (Australian Standa," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-15, December.
    3. Dowler, Elizabeth A. & O’Connor, Deirdre, 2012. "Rights-based approaches to addressing food poverty and food insecurity in Ireland and UK," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 74(1), pages 44-51.
    4. Meron Lewis & Sarah A. McNaughton & Lucie Rychetnik & Mark D. Chatfield & Amanda J. Lee, 2021. "Dietary Intake, Cost, and Affordability by Socioeconomic Group in Australia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(24), pages 1-14, December.
    5. Penelope Love & Jillian Whelan & Colin Bell & Felicity Grainger & Cherie Russell & Meron Lewis & Amanda Lee, 2018. "Healthy Diets in Rural Victoria—Cheaper than Unhealthy Alternatives, Yet Unaffordable," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-16, November.
    6. Jeromey B. Temple, 2018. "The Association between Stressful Events and Food Insecurity: Cross-Sectional Evidence from Australia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-15, October.
    7. Sue Kleve & Sue Booth & Zoe E. Davidson & Claire Palermo, 2018. "Walking the Food Security Tightrope—Exploring the Experiences of Low-to-Middle Income Melbourne Households," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-19, October.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Akanji A. R & Umeakuana Chidinma Doris, 2024. "Assessing The Socio-Economic Implications of Biotechnology-Enhanced Food Accessibility and Affordability," International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation, International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation (IJRSI), vol. 11(7), pages 474-483, July.
    2. Browne, Jennifer & Walker (Yorta Yorta), Troy & Hill (Torres Strait Islander), Karen & Mitchell (Mununjali), Fiona & Beswick, Holly & Thow (Pennemuker, Ngāti Porou), Stephanie & Ryan (Gunditjmara), Jo, 2024. "Food policies for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health (FoodPATH): A systems thinking approach," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 126(C).
    3. Igor Cavallini Johansen & Miquéias Freitas Calvi & Verônica Gronau Luz & Ana Maria Segall-Corrêa & Caroline C. Arantes & Victoria Judith Isaac & Renata Utsunomiya & Vanessa Cristine e Souza Reis & Emi, 2024. "Poverty–Food Insecurity Nexus in the Post-Construction Context of a Large Hydropower Dam in the Brazilian Amazon," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(2), pages 1-19, January.
    4. Ned Marshall & Carolyn Bendotti & Jessica Charlesworth & Barbara Mullan & Chloe Maxwell-Smith, 2024. "Food Banks as a “Treasure Trove”: Users’ Experiences of a Western Australian Food Relief Organization," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(8), pages 1-16, August.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Christina M Pollard & Sue Booth, 2019. "Food Insecurity and Hunger in Rich Countries—It Is Time for Action against Inequality," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(10), pages 1-13, May.
    2. Christina Mary Pollard & Sue Booth, 2019. "Addressing Food and Nutrition Security in Developed Countries," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(13), pages 1-5, July.
    3. Meron Lewis & Sarah A. McNaughton & Lucie Rychetnik & Mark D. Chatfield & Amanda J. Lee, 2021. "Dietary Intake, Cost, and Affordability by Socioeconomic Group in Australia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(24), pages 1-14, December.
    4. Christopher M. Bacon & Gregory A. Baker, 2017. "The rise of food banks and the challenge of matching food assistance with potential need: towards a spatially specific, rapid assessment approach," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 34(4), pages 899-919, December.
    5. Sara A. L. Smaal & Joost Dessein & Barend J. Wind & Elke Rogge, 2021. "Social justice-oriented narratives in European urban food strategies: Bringing forward redistribution, recognition and representation," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 38(3), pages 709-727, September.
    6. Garthwaite, K.A. & Collins, P.J. & Bambra, C., 2015. "Food for thought: An ethnographic study of negotiating ill health and food insecurity in a UK foodbank," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 132(C), pages 38-44.
    7. Penelope Love & Jillian Whelan & Colin Bell & Jane McCracken, 2019. "Measuring Rural Food Environments for Local Action in Australia: A Systematic Critical Synthesis Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(13), pages 1-21, July.
    8. Robert Gajda & Marzena Jeżewska-Zychowicz, 2021. "The importance of social financial support in reducing food insecurity among elderly people," Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, Springer;The International Society for Plant Pathology, vol. 13(3), pages 717-727, June.
    9. Simphiwe Innocentia Hlatshwayo & Temitope Oluwaseun Ojo & Albert Thembinkosi Modi & Tafadzwanashe Mabhaudhi & Rob Slotow & Mjabuliseni Simon Cloapas Ngidi, 2022. "The Determinants of Market Participation and Its Effect on Food Security of the Rural Smallholder Farmers in Limpopo and Mpumalanga Provinces, South Africa," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-16, July.
    10. Christina Zorbas & Jennifer Browne & Alexandra Chung & Anna Peeters & Sue Booth & Christina Pollard & Steven Allender & Anna Isaacs & Corinna Hawkes & Kathryn Backholer, 2023. "Shifting the social determinants of food insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic: the Australian experience," Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, Springer;The International Society for Plant Pathology, vol. 15(1), pages 151-170, February.
    11. Nicole Darmon & Adam Drewnowski, 2015. "Contribution of food prices and diet cost to socioeconomic disparities in diet quality and health: a systematic review and analysis," Post-Print hal-01774670, HAL.
    12. Leisa McCarthy & Anne B. Chang & Julie Brimblecombe, 2018. "Food Security Experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Families with Young Children in An Urban Setting: Influencing Factors and Coping Strategies," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-22, November.
    13. Elias M. A. Militao & Elsa M. Salvador & José P. Silva & Olalekan A. Uthman & Stig Vinberg & Gloria Macassa, 2022. "Coping Strategies for Household Food Insecurity, and Perceived Health in an Urban Community in Southern Mozambique: A Qualitative Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-16, July.
    14. Danielle Gallegos & Mariana M. Chilton, 2019. "Re-Evaluating Expertise: Principles for Food and Nutrition Security Research, Advocacy and Solutions in High-Income Countries," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(4), pages 1-16, February.
    15. Elena Grimaccia & Alessia Naccarato, 2022. "Food Insecurity in Europe: A Gender Perspective," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 161(2), pages 649-667, June.
    16. Penne, Tess & Goedemé, Tim, 2021. "Can low-income households afford a healthy diet? Insufficient income as a driver of food insecurity in Europe," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 99(C).
    17. Brianna F. Poirier & Joanne Hedges & Lisa G. Smithers & Megan Moskos & Lisa M. Jamieson, 2022. "Child-, Family-, and Community-Level Facilitators for Promoting Oral Health Practices among Indigenous Children," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-19, January.
    18. Galli, Francesca & Arcuri, Sabrina & Bartolini, Fabio & Vervoort, Joost & Brunori, Gianluca, 2017. "Exploring scenario guided pathways for food assistance in Tuscany," Bio-based and Applied Economics Journal, Italian Association of Agricultural and Applied Economics (AIEAA), vol. 5(3), February.
    19. Francesca Galli & Aniek Hebinck & Brídín Carroll, 2018. "Addressing food poverty in systems: governance of food assistance in three European countries," Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, Springer;The International Society for Plant Pathology, vol. 10(6), pages 1353-1370, December.
    20. Ana Moragues-Faus & Bridin Carroll, 2018. "Reshaping urban political ecologies: an analysis of policy trajectories to deliver food security," Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, Springer;The International Society for Plant Pathology, vol. 10(6), pages 1337-1351, December.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:4:p:3146-:d:1064679. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.