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New research has revealed how meal delivery apps are steering Australians toward unhealthy food options, prompting calls from experts for government action to reset the balance and make choosing healthy options easier and more affordable.

The national study, led by researchers at SAHMRI's Health Policy Centre, published today in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, revealed that food delivery apps such as Uber Eats and DoorDash are widely perceived by consumers as a source of treat foods, with promotional deals playing a powerful role in shaping what Australians choose to eat.

Researchers conducted 12 focus groups with 112 adults across Australia, exploring how consumers use meal delivery apps and how promotions, app design and nutrition information influence their choices.

It's one of the first studies in Australia to examine consumer perceptions of meal delivery apps beyond frequent users and provides timely insights as governments look to strengthen regulation around junk food marketing, particularly to children.

Lead author Jess Morrison, a Ph.D. candidate and researcher at SAHMRI and Adelaide University, says the findings confirm a growing disconnect between the rapid expansion of meal delivery apps and existing government nutrition policies designed to support healthy eating.

"People told us that when they open a meal delivery app, they're not thinking about health; they're thinking about convenience, indulgence and getting a deal," Morrison said.

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