Plans to make Health Star Ratings mandatory welcomed by health groups

Image

Leading public health groups have applauded Australia’s food ministers for committing to make Health Star Ratings mandatory if the food industry continues to drag its feet.

After a decade of inaction by the food industry, health promotion foundation VicHealth, Food for Health Alliance and The George Institute for Global Health welcomed the news that food regulators will make Health Star Ratings compulsory, if the industry fails to reach 70% voluntary uptake by November next year.

VicHealth CEO Dr Sandro Demaio said making the system mandatory would be a win for the health and wellbeing of Australian families.

“The Health Star Rating system is designed to help Australians cut through marketing spin to make healthier choices for themselves and their families. But the system can’t effectively inform consumers unless it’s mandatory across all product categories,” Dr Demaio said.

“Major food companies have had 10 years to comply with their own voluntary targets and have failed dismally. We welcome moves by food ministers to prioritise the health and wellbeing of Australian consumers and make industry accountable.”

When the Health Star Ratings were introduced in 2019, 40% of intended packaged foods carried a rating. But now just 32% of products carry a rating, far below the targets set by Minsters of:

• Interim target 1: 50% of intended products apply an HSR by 14 November 2023
• Interim target 2: 60% of intended products apply an HSR by 14 November 2024.

Dr Alexandra Jones, Program Lead, Food Governance at The George Institute and Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Medicine at UNSW Sydney said:

“The slow and selective adoption of the Health Star Rating system by food manufacturers has steadily eroded its value. There is nothing in their performance to date to suggest industry can reach the 70% target by the end of 2025.  

“To achieve this, we’d need to see an about-turn from several large manufacturers who have so far resisted, as well as gain buy-in from hundreds of smaller companies. There are still thousands of low scoring products withholding this information from consumers.

“We applaud the Food Ministers and Assistant Health Minister Kearney for their leadership in stepping up to reclaim the Health Star System as a public health tool.”

Food for Health Alliance Executive Manager Jane Martin said:

“Australians deserve clear, transparent labels on the foods they’re buying for themselves and their families.”  

“Our research has found that three in four Australians want the Government to mandate health stars being displayed on the front of all packaged food and drinks.

“This commitment by Ged Kearney and Food Ministers to mandate the system is an important step to empower consumers to make more informed decisions for their health.”  

The next Food Ministers Meeting will be held in November 2024.  

Tamara Jenkins, supporting VicHealth:

0400 525 996 or [email protected]

Rachel Harris, Media and Communications Manager, The George Institute: 

0410 411 983 or [email protected] 
 

Lauren Zammit, Media and Communications Advisor, Food for Health Alliance: 

0401 656 432 or [email protected] 
 

Pre-recorded audio grabs of VicHealth CEO Dr Sandro Demaio can be downloaded here.