Australia Will Soon Require Health Star Ratings on Packaged Foods

By Newsroom | Health, Australia |

Recent decisions by Australian ministers signal a significant shift towards mandatory Health Star Ratings on packaged foods. This move, driven by public health advocates, aims to improve consumer understanding of food choices. However, concerns persist regarding the extent of food industry influence on health policy and the potential for companies to subtly manipulate the system.

Long Road to Mandatory Labels

For over a decade, a voluntary Health Star Rating system has been in place, intended to help consumers identify healthier food options. Despite the persistence of health experts, the system remained voluntary for many years, largely due to the input of food, trade, and agriculture ministers who were often more aligned with industry interests than public health.

  • Initial Rollout: The voluntary system was established after a protracted debate between health professionals and the food industry.

  • Industry Bargaining: The food industry's participation in negotiations influenced the decision-making process, preventing mandatory implementation.

  • Voluntary System Performance: Reports indicate that only 37% of products displayed the Health Star Ratings over the past decade, falling far short of targets.

Industry Influence on Health Policy

Critics argue that the food and agriculture industries continue to wield considerable power in shaping health policy, even as mandatory labeling moves forward. This influence is seen in the development of national food policies, where profit-driven industries reportedly have substantial input, while independent public health experts have limited representation.

Read More: Andhra Pradesh and Gates Foundation to Use AI for Better Health Services

  • Policy Development: The federal government's current development of a national food policy is cited as an example of industry influence.

  • Cost vs. Health Burden: Food and grocery lobbyists have frequently highlighted the costs of implementing health star labels to the industry, often overshadowing the significant healthcare expenses linked to diet-related diseases.

  • Marketing Tactics: Some experts suggest that companies have used the voluntary system as a marketing tool, placing ratings primarily on healthier products to gain a competitive edge.

Expert Views on the Transition

Public health bodies and researchers have largely welcomed the move towards mandatory Health Star Ratings, viewing it as a crucial step in strengthening Australia's food labeling and promoting better community health.

"The federal government is currently developing a national food policy with heavy influence from profit-driven food and agriculture industries, and little input from independent public health experts." - The Guardian

"Ministers are tightening the screws. The image below shows the health stars of some popular products currently not labelled under the voluntary system." - The Times

Read More: India Women Win First T20 Match Against Australia Women After Rain

Professor Alexandra Jones from the George Institute for Global Health, a long-time advocate for mandatory labeling, noted that the legislative process for mandating the system could take at least a year. Health organizations, including the Australian Medical Association and VicHealth, have expressed support, seeing it as an opportunity to improve public health outcomes.

Potential for System Manipulation

Despite the move towards mandatory labeling, questions remain about the system's robustness and the potential for food companies to find ways to "game" the ratings. The fact that the system was co-designed with the industry, while intended to foster collaboration, has also raised concerns about inherent biases.

  • "Gaming" the System: There are concerns that companies may still be able to legally manipulate the health star ratings through product formulations or marketing strategies, even with mandatory labeling.

  • Ultra-Processed Foods: Discussions are underway about whether the Health Star Rating system should also indicate when foods are ultra-processed, which contain ingredients like emulsifiers, flavorings, and preservatives.

  • Slow Progress: The decade-long voluntary phase, marked by slow industry progress in adopting the ratings, underscores the challenges in achieving widespread adoption and compliance.

Next Steps

Ministers have voted to mandate the Health Star Rating system, and legislation is expected to be drafted. This development signifies a considerable win for public health advocates who have campaigned for clearer food labeling. However, ongoing vigilance will be necessary to ensure the system effectively serves its purpose and is not unduly influenced by industry interests, mitigating potential loopholes and ensuring transparency for consumers.

Read More: Big Health Meeting in Hyderabad in 2026

  • Legislation Drafting: The process of drafting legislation for mandatory Health Star Ratings is underway and is anticipated to take at least 12 months.

  • Continued Advocacy: Public health organizations are expected to continue advocating for strong regulations and independent oversight of the system.

  • Monitoring Compliance: Future efforts will likely focus on monitoring industry compliance and evaluating the effectiveness of the mandatory system in influencing consumer behavior and product formulation.

Sources:

Read More: Australia May Change Taxes to Help Economy

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are Health Star Ratings?
They are a rating system on food packages that shows how healthy the food is. A higher number means healthier food.
Q: Will all food have these ratings soon?
No, it will take about a year for the new rules to be fully in place. First, the laws need to be written.
Q: Why is this change happening?
People want to make it easier for everyone to choose healthy food when they shop.
Q: Can food companies still trick the system?
Some people worry that companies might still find ways to make their food look healthier than it is, even with the new rules.