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More than a decade after the introduction of Health Star Ratings, experts assert that the system has not succeeded because it remains voluntary, allowing manufacturers to opt out.
The system, which was launched in 2014, rates the overall nutritional profile of a packaged food product from 0.5 to 5 stars.
Currently, only about a third of products (36 percent) display a Health Star Rating. Predictably, products with a 5-star rating are much more likely to include it (61 percent) compared to just 16 percent of products with a 0.5-star rating.
“Now that we’ve had 10 years of voluntary operation we know a lot about how this system works and where it needs to be improved,” she said.
“We don’t want this to go on any longer than it has to.”
She noted that mandatory country of origin labeling, which achieved over 90 percent implementation in a similar time span, demonstrates the feasibility of quickly enacting a mandatory Health Star Rating system.
“Rapid food labelling change is definitely possible when it is mandated,” she said.
A representative from FSANZ confirmed that preparations are in progress to aid future decisions by food ministers regarding whether to mandate the Health Star Rating system.
“If the target for voluntary uptake (70 percent of intended products displaying the HSR by 14 November 2025) is not fulfilled, FSANZ’s preparatory efforts will streamline the integration of the HSR system into the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code, should ministers request FSANZ to consider making it mandatory,” the spokesperson stated.
How does the health star rating system work?
Manufacturers enter their product’s nutritional information on a government website, which then employs an algorithm to determine the product’s Health Star Rating.
The algorithm gives points for protein, fibre, fruits, vegetables, nuts and legumes and removes points for saturated fat, sugar and salt.
Products are given a rating between 0.5 and 5 stars.
The manufacturer can then choose whether to display the rating on their product or not.
Consumers ideally then use the rating to compare similar products and ultimately make healthier choices.
The rating aligns with the Australian Dietary Guidelines and New Zealand Eating and Activity Guidelines.
