The peak body for Public Health has welcomed the decision of the Food Ministers meeting on 25 July 2024 to allow Food Standards Australia New Zealand and the Food Regulation Standing Committee to inform future decision making to mandate the Health Star Rating system.
It will shift oversight from the food industry in the Health Star Ratings Advisory Committee, to government regulators.
Ministers have also agreed to simultaneously commence a holistic review of the Nutrition Information Panel, a key policy action for which the Public Health Association of Australia and other health bodies have strongly advocated.
“It’s a welcome and necessary step in mandating the Health Star Rating system, and ensuring that food labelling in Australia better serves people in Australia,” says Public Health Association of Australia CEO Adj Prof Terry Slevin.
Food and nutrition experts have long advocated for the Health Star Ratings scheme to be improved. The food industry in 2020 set itself a target to get ratings on 60% of intended products by 14 November 2024. It’s July 2024, and 32 percent of products carry the rating.
People want to know what’s in their products, with 80% of respondents supporting Health Star Ratings on all products.
“We also welcome the start of the process that improves infant foods,” Adj Prof Slevin said.
“The current situation can’t be left to stand, and this is a necessary first step to better regulating the ingredients and labelling of food for our most vulnerable population.”