Food Consumption Patterns: A Comparative Analysis of Iraq and Australia

This report analyzes the food consumption patterns of Iraq and Australia, including the impact of history on current day food practices, current day culinary practices of Iraq, comparative analysis of food commodities, migration patterns, and the influence of food culture on Australia.

Running Head: CULINARY CULTURE 0
FOOD CONSUMPTION PATTERNS
Australia & Iraq
Student details:

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Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................2
Geographical conditions..................................................................................................................2
Impact of the history on the current day food practices..................................................................3
Current day culinary practices of Iraq.............................................................................................3
Comparative analysis food commodities between Iraq and Australia.............................................4
Key commodities and comparison of food culture between Australia & Iraq................................6
Details of migration patterns in Iraq to Australia............................................................................6
Exposure of different food culture in Australia...............................................................................6
Presence and influence of food culture/cuisine...............................................................................7
Existence of Australian labelling laws upon import of International food products.......................7
Conclusion.......................................................................................................................................8

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Introduction
The following report represents the Geographical location of Iraq along with the
historical impact of its food on current time practices. This will further highlight the Current day
culinary practices of Iraq. Along with the Food and Agricultural Organizations (FAO) website
will be used to determine the relevant and main agricultural farming /or fishing outputs as well as
main exports and imports. Then the key commodities of the apparent consumption will be
comparison to that of the Australian data and the brief details on the migration pattern from Iraq
to Australia will be analyzed. The influence made by the exposure of food culture of Iraq will be
considered upon Australia. Herein, various examples of the basic food commodities are also
provided. Lastly, the report will highlight the changes brought by the labelling laws in the
imports and exports of edible commodities. The entire report will highlight the consequences
faced by the Christian family mentioned in the case study.
Geographical conditions
The geography of Iraq is very diverse and is divided into five regions namely the desert,
upper Mesopotamia, the northern highlands, lower Mesopotamia and alluvial plain that rises
from Tikrit to Persian Gulf. Iraq mainly has a very hot desert type climate as most of the area
here is has a series of broad and sandy plains, land in the western part is mostly covered with the
Syrian Desert just like a blanket and the southeast is found near Persian Gulf and low marshy
land which often get flooded. It has a mountain in its northern side in which the highest and
unnamed peak point of Iraq is located. The land of Iraq is mostly drained by the two most
significant rivers of Asia i.e. the Euphrates and Tigris rivers (Briney, 2019).

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Impact of the history on the current day food practices
The traditional diet in Iraq comprised of rice with soup or sauce, accompanied by lamb
and vegetables. It was seen before the sanctions of United Nation economy with that of Iraq, but
in the current era, the food has been restricted very tightly as most of the people preferred eating
rice or any other grain rarely with sauce because it became difficult to find vegetables and meat
as per the required quantity. In the ancient time families lived together and ate in a common
bowl, but in today’s world all the individuals wants to eat in separate plates and utensils.
(Goldschmidt Jr., 2018). Previously lambs, goats, dishes including kebabs with garlic, lemon and
heavy spices were sacrificed for holiday celebrations but today only a few have that means to do
so and the celebrations have decreased. Prior to the sanctions Iraq had faced a lot of food
shortages and were been forced to grow their own, which was also very tough as there were no
enough means to do so they were spending their lives through oil food programming which
distributed food to the people in a food basket on first of each month. This situation has changed
a lot which has all become possible due to their sanctioning with the UN (Goldschmidt Jr.,
2018).
Current day culinary practices of Iraq
Cuisine in Iraq has a very long history, Mesopotamia in the ancient times served as home to the
many dazzling and sophisticated natives, at that time they were considered really very forward in
all the fields including knowledge and the culinary arts. However, in the medieval times, the
kitchen of Iraq had reached its zenith under the guidance of Baghdad but after its destruction by
the Mongols there came the declination of the world class cuisine. Today the Iraq’s food reflects
the very same as well as the strong effect as it used to have in the culinary tradition of Turkey,

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Iran and Greater Syria and this was the major reason of the enormous richness and varied culture
along with a complex influence on the tradition of Iraq (Ames.net.au, 2018).
Lamb was consumed at the time celebrations and festivals. Many of the food historians and the
authors talked and wrote very interesting books, papers and novels on the cuisine and history of
Iraq through the ages. Lamb and other type of meat made the Iraq’s cuisine very rich in protein
and iron. Current day cuisine is based on red meat on the regular basis and in many cases, it
maintained its cuisines with garlic, lemon and spices and bakes and grills it over charcoal. There
were various reforms which took place in staple foods of Iranian like dried apples, dried
apricots, beefs and rice were introduced in the culinary culture of Australia. The war resulted in
introducing the regional dishes of Iranian into the food culture of Australia. Thus, it can be said
that as compared to all other neighbors of Arab, Iraq has a good culinary cuisine since its
historical tradition and until today. It is really a very spicy one and the credit of its richness may
all be given to its geographical conditions (Jarallah & Baxter, 2019).
.
Comparative analysis food commodities between Iraq and Australia
Comparison of food commodities between Iraq and Australia during the Iraq war
Australia helped Iraq in providing food commodities. The chart below depicts the import and
export supply of food consumptions commodities like agricultural and aquatic edibles within the
year 2003 -2007. Here X refers to the exports and M refers to imports (Fao.org/ emergencies,
2017).

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Source: (Fao.org, 2019).
Comparison of agricultural commodities
YEAR Australia Iraq
2003 X-409
M-9866
X- 1948
M- 123
2004 X- 125
M-18922
X-2863
M-237
2005 X-141
M-14373
X-4076
M-0
2006 X-159
M-15418
X-4076
M-5

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Comparison of aquatic commodities
YEAR Australia Iraq
2003 X-0
M-0
X-0
M-0
2004 X-0
M-0
X-0
M-0
2005 X-0
M-4
X-0
M-0
2006 X-5
M-0
X-0
M-0
With the above graphical and tabular representation is becomes clear that the import as
well as exports made by Iraq were extremely poor during the war phase. Thus, it became difficult
for the people to resist. Hence, they were forced to migrate to Australia. The similar condition
was also seen in the given case study.
Key commodities and comparison of food culture between Australia & Iraq
As per the above graph it can be observed that there is a major change in the food pattern of the
people of Australia and Iraq. From the year 2003- 2007 the culinary habits of Iraqis is different
from that of Australians. As the Iraqi people were more prone to the grains and rice which are
included in the agricultural commodities whereas the people of Australia were inclined towards
both the agricultural as well as aquatic products (Homeaffairs.gov.au, 2019)
.

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Details of migration patterns in Iraq to Australia
Migration refers to the process of movement of people residing at one place to some
other region for a short period. As per the case study, the entire Christian family migrated to
Australia and stayed within the UNHCR refugee camps. All this happened in the year 2003 with
the advent of prewar conditions in the state.
Not only the Christian family mentioned in case study, four million other migrants/ refugees
moved to Australia in order to prevent and protect themselves from the post-traumatic stress
disorders, physical , mental and social expulsion. The availability of proper health and medicinal
care at refugee camps at Australia helped the war struck people of Iraq. The government of
Australia provided assistance and accommodating settlements in the rural and remote areas of
the country (Utas, 2016)
.
Exposure of different food culture in Australia
Social media is a source of exposure for the people residing in Australia. Use of social media is
very common in present time, people belonging from different nations upload and share their
nation’s signature / popular cuisines which influences people residing in Australia. It brings
changes in cooking styles and eating habits. The television industry has drawn the attention of
people towards the distinction and diversity of food, which can be prepared by people easily by
following the guidelines directed by the chef (Woertz, 2017).

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Travel and tourism has also resulted in the reforms in culinary activities of Australians. Food
tourism has become the ultimate and latest trend which transformation in the food habits of
people globally. As per the Ontario Culinary Tourism Alliance (OCTA) most of the regional,
national and international cuisine are acknowledged by the people throughout the world tourism
(Jarallah & Baxter, 2019).
Presence and influence of food culture/cuisine
Reason behind the diversification noticed in the food culture of Australia is each wave of
migrant gave a different form of cuisine to the Australians. Iraq is a country where majority of
people residing in the nation follows Islam. It is a well-known fact that the Muslim community
gives preference to the non-vegetarian dishes more in comparison to the vegetarian dishes. For
example the people of Australia started consuming wheat, barley, rice and dates. The most
important inclusion in food products was of dates as Iraq is the leading producer of dates
globally. Thus, the migration of people from Iraq made a great impact over the food culture
prevailing in Australia during those days. It can be observed that around 4 million people
migrated from Iraq to Australia which resulted in bringing changes in the culinary culture of
Australians (Siddiqui, Winther, Kurbasic, & Sonestedt, 2017).
Existence of Australian labelling laws upon import of International food products
Labelling – Food labels can deliver a wide range of evidence to support consumers make
food choices. Thus labelling is essential for every product as it specifies the date of manufacture,
its components, certain allergens, storage and preparation and the warning statements.

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The Australian government has implemented a new law in the country of origin food labeling
system; the law came into existence on 1 July 2016. Labelling law sets high standard code for
the food products. It prohibits false, misleading or illusory representations by the producers. As
per the law, the product label should include name, description of food, identification of the lot
number, address of the food supplier, components and the minimum age required for the
consumption of the product (fao.org/emergencies, 2017).
The Labelling law of Australia has made an influence over the imports made by other countries
in Australia. The requirement as per labelling law is as follows; Trade Description- goods cannot
be imported to Australia if they are not meeting the correct labelling requirements describing the
product. Country of Origin- The Australian Competition and Consumer Act 2010 cth
(ACCC) prohibits the formation of making false or misleading claims regarding the place of
origin of the product. As per the FAO, Iraq government has initiated certain parameters, which
are to be fulfilled in order to import goods in Iraq. Such as mentioning the minimum age required
for the consumption of product, manufacturing date, product details and the red and green mark
which depicts whether the product is vegetarian or non-vegetarian (Giles & Bell, 2010).
.
Conclusion
As per the study conducted above regarding the problems faced by Christian family mentioned in
the case study , it can be concluded that although Iraq had a wonderful history of culinary
culture. The nation was unable to support its citizens during war. Hence, to protect themselves
the people of Iraq took refuge at Australia. This compelled them to live a life of refugee where

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the Australian government provided them accommodation and balanced their physical and social
wellbeing. The migrators also had a impactful influence on the cuisine commodity culture of
Australia.

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References
ames.net.au. (2018). From lamb chops to labne . Retrieved from AMES Australia:
https://www.ames.net.au/australianmade/migrants-in-food
Briney, A. (2019, April 10). Geography of Iraq An Geographic Overview of Iraq. Retrieved
from Thought Co: https://www.thoughtco.com/geography-of-iraq-1435056
Fao.org. (2019). Retrieved from FAO.org: http://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#compare
fao.org/emergencies. (2017, September). Iraq - Agriculture damage and loss needs assessment.
Retrieved from Food and Agriculture Organization of United Nations:
http://www.fao.org/emergencies/resources/documents/resources-detail/en/c/1036368/
Giles , E., & Bell, E. (2010, February 18). Iraqi refugees 'heading to Australia'. Retrieved from
ABC: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2010-02-18/iraqi-refugees-heading-to-australia/
335282
Goldschmidt Jr., A. (2018). A Concise History of the Middle East (11th ed.). New York:
Routledge.
homeaffairs.gov.au. (2019, July 15). Refugee visas (offshore). Retrieved from Refugee and
humanitarian program.
Jarallah, Y., & Baxter, J. (2019). Gender disparities and psychological distress among
humanitarian migrants in Australia: a moderating role of migration pathway? Conflict
and Health, 13(1), 13.
Siddiqui, F., Winther, V., Kurbasic, A., & Sonestedt. (2017). Changes in dietary intake following
a culturally adapted lifestyle intervention among Iraqi immigrants to Sweden at high risk
of type 2 diabetes: a randomised trial. Public Health Nutrition, 20(15), 2827-2838.

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utas.edu.au. (2016, May 5). How does the media impact the way we look at food? Retrieved from
Research to Reality: https://www.utas.edu.au/news/2016/7/1/123-how-does-the-media-
impact-the-way-we-look-at-food/
Woertz, E. (2017). Food security in Iraq: results from quantitative and qualitative surveys.
Journal of Computational Social Science, 9(3), 511–522.

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