Australia mandates Health Star Ratings on nearly all packaged foods by law
Australia will soon require Health Star Ratings (HSR) on nearly all packaged foods. The move follows years of the system being voluntary, with only 39% of products displaying the labels. Public demand and health experts have pushed for the change to help shoppers make better food choices. The HSR system rates food products from half a star to five stars based on nutritional value. It was first introduced as a voluntary scheme but will now become mandatory. Over 82% of Australians support the change, wanting clearer information at a glance.
Federal Assistant Health Minister Rebecca White has backed the decision. She believes compulsory ratings will improve access to nutritional details. The Australian Medical Association (AMA) also supports the shift, calling for government leadership without industry influence. The new rules will apply to most packaged foods, except for special products like baby formula and alcohol. Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) will propose displaying the ratings where nutrition panels are already required. The World Health Organisation has previously recognised HSR as a cost-effective way to tackle diet-related diseases. More than 50 countries have adopted similar systems, with 19 making them mandatory. The AMA has also recommended regular reviews of the HSR algorithm to ensure it continues to benefit public health.
The compulsory HSR system aims to give Australians clearer nutritional guidance. Shoppers will soon see star ratings on most packaged foods, excluding a few exempt products. The change aligns with global trends and responds to strong public support for better food labelling.
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