The total consumption of food by Australians has fallen for the first time on record.

According to figures published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) on Friday, Australians purchased a total of 14.8 million tonnes of food and non-alcoholic beverages in the 12 months to the end of June 2023 – down 1.9 percent from 15.1 million tonnes in the previous 12 months.

It marks the first time the total apparent consumption of food and non- alcoholic beverages has declined since the ABS started measuring it in 2018- 19.

Apparent consumption of every major food group fell, with vegetables recording the largest drop of 14 grams per person per day followed by fruit – down 12 grams – milk and non-alcoholic beverages.

“Each person had 186 grams of vegetables a day in 2022-23, down from 200 grams a day in 2021-22,” Paul Atyeo, ABS health statistics spokesperson, said in a media release.

“We also went from eating 150 grams of fruit to 138 grams a day during 2022-23, while milk products fell from 278 to 267 grams.”

Separate data published by the ABS in July 2023 revealed that food and non-alcoholic beverages rose by 7.5 percent in the year to June.