Contemporary food use: Food supply and food consumption

This chapter provides an understanding of the basis on which national food supply statistics are compiled. It describes the limitations of national food supply data. The chapter also describes trends in the Australian food supply. It also provides an understanding of the principal methods used for collecting information on food intake. The chapter discusses the advantages and limitations of different methods of collecting information on food intake. It explains the major influences on food intake patterns. Information on the food supply can take a variety of factors into account, including domestic production, imports, exports, industrial and animal use of food, and waste. Food supply and consumption information for broad food groups is also reported in the Australian Food Statistics publication for a number of countries. Many factors influence patterns of food use. Among the most important in Australia have been technological advances, social and economic influences, the role of women in society and the multicultural nature of Australia.