AUSTRALIA | The Australian Government will seek to raise a proposal at the next Food Ministers Meeting to mandate Health Star Ratings on food products across Australia.
In 2020, Food Ministers agreed to consider mandatory labelling should the existing voluntary scheme fail to reach 70 per cent of products by 2025.
Recent data released by Food Standards Australia New Zealand shows just 37 percent of products display a Health Star Rating.
The government is committed to ensuring Australians have the information they need to make healthy choices, and this is a sensible next step in the evolution of Health Star Ratings.
Since 2014, Health Star Ratings have provided consumers with a quick and simple way to compare the nutritional value of similar products on supermarket shelves.
Ensuring Health Star Ratings appear on all products will enhance consumer choice and level the playing field for all food producers.
Recognising that Health Star Ratings are intended only as a basic guide, the government will continue to monitor the effectiveness of the methodology used to determine them and make updates as required.
“Requiring all packaged food products to display a Health Star Rating is a sensible next step that will enhance consumer choice. We know many Australians want to make healthier choices at the supermarket but don’t have time to read through complex nutritional tables or ingredients lists," said Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care Rebecca White.
“Putting Health Star Ratings on all products will ensure all shoppers can quickly and easily compare the different options on supermarket shelves. I’m hopeful that Food Ministers from across Australia and New Zealand will support this important public health initiative.”
A final decision on mandating Health Star Ratings will be made after the Food Ministers Meeting receives advice about implementation options.
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