Offline to online: a systematic mapping review of evidence to inform nutrition-related policies applicable to online food delivery platforms

Abstract

Abstract Background Online food delivery (OFD) platforms offer easy access to an abundance of energy-dense and nutrient-poor takeaway foods and may exacerbate existing unhealthy food environments. Efforts to improve population diets include a range of policy recommendations focused on improving the healthiness of food environments; however, the way in which such policies may apply to OFD platforms is not clear. This paper aimed to synthesise the existing evidence to inform nutrition-related policies applicable to OFD platforms for population health and well-being. A secondary aim was to scan existing nutrition-related policies in Australia and internationally, which have the potential to be applicable to OFD platforms. Methods Seven electronic databases including Medline, Embase, CINAHL, Business Source Ultimate, Scopus, Web of Science, and Proquest were searched from January 2010 to October 2023. Evidence from studies was mapped to five existing policy domains outlined by the Healthy Food Environment Policy Index (Food-EPI) including (i) food labelling; (ii) food promotion; (iii) food composition and nutritional quality; (iv) food retail; and (v) food pricing. Relevant data sources were searched for currently implemented nutrition-related government policies that may have relevance to OFD platforms. Results A total of 2012 records were screened, and 43 studies were included. There were 70 relevant study outcomes across the included studies, which addressed one or more of the 5 domains. Of these, 21 were relevant to ‘Food Promotion’ (30%), 18 to ‘Food Retail’ (26%), 15 to ‘Food Composition (21%), 11 to ‘Food Prices’ (16%), and six to ‘Food Labelling’ (9%). Three existing policies from international jurisdictions (England, Singapore, EU) included OFD platforms, of which one was a voluntary measure. Several existing policies under food labelling have the potential to be amended to include OFD platforms under regulatory definitions. Conclusion OFD platforms have emerged as a disruptor to how people acquire their food and have yet to be widely included in existing nutrition-related policies. Advancing the evidence base to support the design of effective policy actions and mitigate the potential negative health impacts of OFD platforms will support efforts to improve population diets.

Keywords

• Digital food environment
• Online food delivery
• OFD
• Public policy
• Nutrition policy
• Food away from home