The Health Star Rating system has received an upgrade that is tougher on sugar and salt. The system was first introduced in 2014, and the changes have been made based on a 2019 review. Products with high levels of sugar and salt will receive lower ratings, including breakfast cereals and fruit juices. Minimally processed fruit and vegetables will automatically receive a five-star rating.
"We know people lead busy lives, and it can be difficult to make good choices at the supermarket. The Health Star Rating has been designed by nutritionists and health experts to cut through the confusion and give people nutritional information at a glance. We heard some people had issues with rating discrepancies, and we’ve listened to their concerns. By using the best and latest science from a range of experts and getting tougher on sugar and salt, those issues have been addressed, and the system is more robust,” said Vincent Arbuckle, New Zealand Food Safety’s deputy director-general.
As of November 15, all manufacturers participating in the opt-in system are required to have updated their labelling to reflect the changes. By mid-2021, over 5,600 products sold in supermarkets utilised the health star rating on the packaging. The government will consider making the system mandatory if manufacturing uptake does not meet a 70 percent target by 2025. The next uptake monitoring will take place in November of 2023.
