ABSTRACT
The food manufacturing sector produces processed and packaged foods and beverages of varying nutritional quality. This sector is highly concentrated both nationally and globally, with a small number of transnational corporations in control of major brands and sales in national and global markets. There are many concerns with the nutritional quality and impacts on public health and dietary patterns arising from the high levels of consumption of the ultra-processed foods produced by food manufacturers. A number of government and industry policies and initiatives are being developed to limit the harm of these products, mostly focused on reducing quantities of sugar, sodium and fats in these products. The food manufacturing sector also has a considerable ecological footprint, through its large-scale use and sourcing of agricultural commodities, and the manufacturing, packaging and distribution of its products. Food manufacturers have developed their own self-regulated sustainability policies that focus on sustainable sourcing, the more efficient use of resources, recyclable packaging and reductions in food waste.
