CEQ store nutritionist Georgia Day checks out the remote supermarket operator’s overhauled baby food range with Rohani Nona and Philicia Reimann. Photo: Supplied.
Remote supermarket operator Community Enterprise Queensland (CEQ) says it has reaffirmed its commitment to the health and wellbeing of children in remote Cape York and Torres Strait communities by overhauling its infant and toddler food offerings.
The update, which will be rolled out in all CEQ stores, follows a comprehensive review led by the organisation’s nutrition and buying teams to ensure babies and young children had better access to healthier food options “from their very first bites”.
Nutrition and health manager Melinda Hammond said the changes reflected CEQ’s ongoing dedication to improving health outcomes in remote Indigenous communities across the far north of the state.
“A healthy start in life begins with good nutrition, and that’s something we take seriously,” she said.
“We know that early childhood nutrition lays the foundation for lifelong health, and our board made it clear that supporting babies’ health and development is a top priority.
“These changes to our baby food range are about giving parents better options and cutting through the confusion on the shelves.”
The updated range focuses on nutritious, iron-rich and lower-sugar options that support early development, such as meat-based meals, iron-fortified cereals and vegetable-based meals, while reducing the shelf presence of products high in added sugars, such as sweetened custards and fruit-based purees.
CEQ said the review also aligned with advocacy from the Food for Health Alliance, which continues to call for stronger national regulation and greater transparency in the labelling and formulation of infant and toddler foods.
“We’re making it easier for families to make healthier choices, and that includes making sure the most nutritious options are easier to find and more visible on our shelves,” CEQ chief executive officer Michael Dykes said.
