Health Star rating finally approved for use.
The Health Star Rating shows a series of up to five stars that show how healthy a food is based on a set of test results. It was designed to be shown on packaged foods in Australia. The intent is to give customers and consumers information about the nutritional value of a packaged food.
In late June, the Legislative and Governance Forum of Food Regulation signed off on the Rating after literally years of argument and discussion. The Forum is comprised of all food regulation minister around Australia and New Zealand and is chaired by Australian Government Assistant Minister for Health, Senator the Honorable Fiona Nash.
The Rating can now be added to food packaging voluntarily over the next five years, with a review of progress and effectiveness in two years. At this stage the Forum has not made the Health Star Rating mandatory.
An education program for the system is nearly developed and will be implemented to explain to the public what the rating means. The rating system will also apply in New Zealand.
AFGC Chief Executive, Mr Gary Dawson, said; “The improved design of the Health Star Rating scheme, flexibility around its introduction and acknowledgement that it can coexist with existing front of pack schemes such as the Daily Intake Guide and the Heart Foundation Tick, are significant improvements. In addition there is acceptance that it can be expensive for cash strapped companies to adopt major labelling changes and therefore a voluntary approach with an extended five year implementation period has been adopted. Ultimately it will be up to food companies to assess the scheme and determine whether or not they adopt it.”
CHOICE CEO, Alan Kirkland, said;“CHOICE is today calling on food companies to ditch the dodgy Daily Intake Guide and embrace the Health Star Rating to help consumers make informed decisions about what they eat. Now that ministers have given the final sign off to the Health Star Rating Scheme, responsibility shifts to food manufacturers to start rolling out the star ratings on their product ranges. There is a great PR opportunity waiting for the early adopters, as we’ve seen with Monster Health Food Co which rolled out the first star rating in April.”
Written by Rachelle Williams, The Green Food Safety Coach.