Australia is set to propose mandatory health star ratings for food products at next week’s Food Ministers Meeting. This meeting is vital for overseeing food regulation in Australia and New Zealand.
Currently, the health star rating system is voluntary. In 2020, ministers indicated that if fewer than 70% of products displayed this rating by 2025, they’d consider making it compulsory. However, recent data from Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) shows only 37% of food products currently carry the rating. This is a drop from 41% in 2019.
Rebecca White, the Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care at FSANZ, emphasizes the importance of having these ratings. She stated, “Requiring all packaged food products to display a health star rating is a sensible next step that will enhance consumer choice.” Many Australians want to make healthier choices but struggle with complex nutrition labels.
The government aims to ensure that shoppers can easily compare options on supermarket shelves. White expressed hope that health ministers from both countries would support this public health initiative. Mandatory health star ratings would create a fair environment for producers and support consumer health choices.
Interestingly, while this initiative aims to help consumers, a recent study from the United States found that front-of-pack labels did not significantly improve food choices or reduce obesity rates.
As the meeting approaches, the decision on whether to make health star ratings compulsory will be revealed, along with plans for implementation. This will be a pivotal moment for public health in Australia.
For more information on health star ratings, visit Food Standards Australia New Zealand.
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FOP, Health Star Ratings, Food Labels, Australia Nutrition
