Nutritionists have claimed that Masterchef's "indulgent" recipes are one of the factors behind the nation's ballooning obesity rates.
The "excessive" use of butter, salts and oils has been criticised by leading health experts who believe audiences are being encouraged to gorge on overly gourmet meals.
Accredited nutritionist Catherine Saxelby, of the Foodwatch Nutrition Centre and member of the Nutrition Society of Australia, said heart disease, cholesterol levels and high blood pressure are all results of following a MasterChef-style diet.
"It is too rich and heavy, and full of kilojoules, — it's death by cooking," she told ninemsn.
"I have concerns, and a lot of nutritionists do, that it's sort of presenting it as everyday food that is achievable and that can be eaten every day.
"It is presented as something the average person can produce at home. It should be enjoyed now and then, not common fare.
"Encouraging this chefy eating is a factor for increasing people's obesity rates."
Ms Saxelby also claims chefs have "no regard" for the nutritional values which many dietary experts are pushing for.
She said the dishes are not balanced, are cooked inappropriately and do not contain a sensible variety of foods.
"All the things we are telling people to be limited with, the chefs have no regard for," she said.
"This is not just MasterChef, but chefs in general.
"The show has such a huge following it is just setting the scene for indulgent, excessive eating. You never see enough vegetables, it is not giving people the right impression.
"What I would like to see is a nice cut of meat, steamed or grilled, not fried, on the plate as part of a balanced meal.
"I don't think the producers care, as long as it is rating well."
But some chefs defended the show's cooking and dismissed suggestions the use of fats and creams in the meals was overly dangerous to health.
Tony Bilson, hailed as the 'Godfather of Australian Cuisine', said there is no problem with seasoning foods, and believes Australian diets are healthier than they used to be.
"I think that Australians have a very healthy diet, you know, we're not America," he said.
"Let's say 20 years ago, all kids' school lunches would have been not nice bread, processed cheese, vegemite and a butter substitute which is full of oxidised fats.
"The best thing is to eat a mixture of fats, like butter, duck fat, fish once a week. Even in the type of food presented on Masterchef it's not a problem."
Highly acclaimed young chef Mitchell Orr also said cooking fresh was always better than eating prepackaged microwave meals.
"If you put butter and salt in something it doesn’t make it unhealthy," Mr Orr said.
"Seasoning isn't going to be harmful to your health. Putting a knob of butter in your dinner isn't going to hurt you.
"What's the point of living if you can’t enjoy what you eat, if you can't eat something with flavour."
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