Mandatory Health Star Ratings for Packaged Foods Set to Revolutionise Australian Supermarket Aisles
The Australian government has finally moved to make the Health Star Rating (HSR) system a mandatory feature on all packaged foods, marking a significant shift from its previous voluntary approach. This decision comes after years of lobbying from health organisations and a clear indication that the existing system was failing to achieve its intended purpose of helping consumers make healthier choices.
The HSR system, first introduced in 2014, was designed as a straightforward, front-of-pack nutrition label to allow consumers to easily compare the overall nutritional quality of products on supermarket shelves. This initiative aligned with recommendations from the World Health Organization. However, a critical flaw in its initial design was its voluntary nature, a consequence of its co-design with the food industry. This allowed manufacturers to strategically deploy the ratings, showcasing them on products that scored favourably while omitting them from those with less impressive nutritional profiles. Researchers had previously highlighted this as a successful marketing tactic for food companies, rather than a genuine tool for public health.
The Road to Mandate: Missed Targets and Growing Concerns
Recognising the limitations of the voluntary system, Australian food ministers agreed in 2019 to consider mandating the HSR if a target of 70% of products displaying the rating by November 14, 2025, was not met. Unfortunately, the packaged food industry fell far short of this benchmark, with the HSR appearing on a mere 37% of eligible packaged foods.
This failure to meet the uptake target was a key factor in the recent decision by food, agricultural, and health ministers to mandate the system. The ministers convened and expressed significant concern that the low adoption rate had “limited the system’s effectiveness and undermined consumer trust.”
Following this crucial meeting, ministers have formally requested Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ), the nation’s food regulatory body, to begin drafting the necessary legislation to implement the mandatory HSR system.
Health Sector Hails the Move: A Win for Public Health
Leading health bodies across Australia have overwhelmingly welcomed the decision. Organisations such as the Australian Medical Association (AMA), VicHealth, and the George Institute for Global Health have lauded the move as a vital opportunity to enhance Australia’s food labelling framework and, consequently, improve the health of the community.
Dr. Danielle McMullen, President of the AMA, emphasised the practical benefits for consumers. “Clear, front-of-pack labelling like Health Star Ratings allows busy Australians to see how healthy a product is at a glance,” she stated. Dr. McMullen further highlighted the broader public health implications: “With diet-related diseases placing growing pressure on our health system, mandating Health Star Ratings is a simple, evidence-based step that will support better nutrition across the community.”
Understanding the Health Star Rating System
The HSR system assigns a rating from half a star to five stars. This score is determined by a sophisticated algorithm that evaluates seven key nutrients. Points are deducted based on the levels of energy, saturated fat, sugar, and salt present in a product. Conversely, points are awarded for beneficial components such as protein, fibre, and the inclusion of fruits, vegetables, and legumes.
Addressing the Loopholes: The Need for Algorithm Refinement
Despite the positive step towards mandating the HSR, concerns persist regarding the system’s inherent limitations, particularly those stemming from its industry co-design. Researchers have previously cautioned that the algorithm could be manipulated. Food companies have reportedly found ways to inflate the HSR of less healthy products by substituting sugar with artificial sweeteners, or by adding synthetic fibres and proteins.
A significant report published in 2024 by the George Institute for Global Health revealed that such practices could misleadingly boost the star rating of ultra-processed foods.
Professor Alexandra Jones from the George Institute for Global Health, who has been a long-time advocate for mandating the HSR, indicated that the legislative process is expected to take at least 12 months. This timeframe, she noted, will provide a crucial window of opportunity for experts to review and refine the algorithm.
“We also have new dietary guidelines anticipated at the end of this year, and we’re hoping those guidelines are going to say more about ultra processing, and so that would be the best trigger to get some more consideration of processing in the health star algorithm as well,” Professor Jones commented, suggesting that future iterations of the HSR could better account for the level of food processing. This proactive approach aims to “close some of the loopholes in the score itself” and ensure the HSR system truly serves its purpose of guiding Australians towards healthier food choices.
