A major report has linked the food on our plates to health, climate and social issues, which experts say is a national crisis.
Now, the Public Health Advisory Committee is calling for a national plan to fight the food problem.
Otago University professor of human nutrition Sir Jim Mann knows a lot about food.
"The report covers a huge number of areas," he told Newshub.
Sir Jim has dedicated his life to the science of human health, and warns the food Kiwis eat leads not only to deadly diabetic outcomes, but terrible economic hardships for the Government.
"There is absolutely no question that our diet in this country is not conducive to good health," he said.
When talking specifically about type 2 diabetes, he said: "Its cost to the country right now is estimated to be around $2.1 billion."
The total cost of food related illness is much greater.
On Sir Jim's desk on Wednesday was the Public Health Advisory Committee's first report to fight the issue.
Called Rebalancing Our Food System, its independent expert analysis was commissioned by the previous Labour-led Government.
It has come up with 13 major recommendations - the biggest of which is to establish a National Food Strategy.
"At the moment there isn't a plan. What there is, is business doing its legitimate role of profit-maximising," said Kevin Hague, chair of the Public Health Advisory Committee.
"And that should be the public concern and that should be the Government's concern."
The report also highlights the 30-year-old campaign to encourage eating at least five fruits and vegetables every day.
Recent data from the 2022-2023 NZ Health Survey suggests only 6.7 percent of adults achieve that, and only 4.9 percent of children do.
The new report also demands changes to things such as: "Junk food marketing to kids, dealing with food insecurity, supporting the free school lunch program," said Boyd Swinburn, co-chair of Health Coalition Aotearoa.
"A lot of things that are really quite detailed and specific and actionable," Swinburn added.
And the cost-of-living crisis isn't only mentioned in relation to the school lunch program - the report says the high cost of fruit and veges is pushing people to buy less-healthy options.
In a statement to Newshub, Health Minister Shane Reti outlined his thoughts.
"Pursuing the recommendations in this report is not a priority for the Government. There are far more pressing issues in the health sector that need addressing at the moment," he said.
It's a concern for Swinburn and colleagues who are desperate for action.
"The biggest risk is that the Government or Dr Reti will see this, see that's it too big, and put it on the shelf and not lead it as they're calling for," Swinburn told Newshub.
