The Health Star Rating (HSR) system, set to appear on thousands of new grocery items, must remain "free of industry interference" to truly benefit shoppers, experts assert. Food ministers voted in February to advance a plan making these interpretive front-of-pack nutrition labels compulsory for nearly all packaged foods.
Voluntary System Falling Short
Introduced in 2014, the HSR system has been voluntary, with manufacturers displaying stars on only 39 per cent of Australian foods. The target of 70 per cent by November 2025 was not met. Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is now tasked with drafting a proposal to mandate the ratings where nutrition information panels are already required. Special purpose products like baby formula and alcohol are excluded.
Federal Assistant Health Minister Rebecca White stated that a mandate will improve access to nutritional information, address limitations of the voluntary approach, and provide regulatory certainty for industry and enforcement agencies. "Over 82 per cent of Australians would like to see them on all packaged products so they can make quick and informed choices," White told 7NEWS.com.au.
Health Groups Back Mandate
Peak health organizations, including the Heart Foundation, VicHealth, Dietitians Australia, and the Public Health Association of Australia, have endorsed the move. In a February letter to the government, they noted that the World Health Organization recognizes such labels as a "powerful and cost-effective strategy for addressing diet-related disease." They highlighted that over 50 countries have adopted similar labels, with 19 making them mandatory.
"We urge you to seize this opportunity to protect public health and strengthen Australia and New Zealand’s food labelling system," the joint letter urged.
Algorithm Can Be 'Gamed'
The ratings range from half a star to five stars, with more stars indicating healthier choices. Different products, such as soft drinks and yoghurt, are calculated differently, so consumers are advised to compare only similar packaged foods. The algorithm considers total energy, saturated fat, sugars, protein, fibre, and fruit and vegetable content. Developed with industry and consumer groups, it has been criticized for loopholes that allow ultra-processed products to receive higher ratings.
Alex Jones, food governance program lead at the George Institute for Global Health, noted that while the algorithm "gets it right most of the time," it can be "gamed." For example, breakfast cereals with added protein can offset high sugar and sodium contents. "Like all food policies, Health Stars needs to be reviewed periodically to be kept up to date with evolving nutrition science," Jones told 7NEWS.com.au.
Seven in 10 consumers use the rating system at least sometimes when shopping, but Australians have expressed distrust and confusion. With the system voluntary, manufacturers have selectively labelled products. "Mandating stars is the single biggest improvement we could make to ensure that they work for consumers," Jones said. "It would force transparency on thousands of low-scoring products that our research shows are still hiding this information from consumers."
AMA Calls for Independence
The Australian Medical Association (AMA) emphasized that informed consumer choice is critical as rates of overweight and obesity rise. The AMA urged the government to implement compulsory HSR "as soon as possible" but with a key condition. "For the Health Star Rating system to be truly effective, it must be led by government and free of industry interference," AMA president Dr Danielle McMullen told 7NEWS.com.au.
"Currently, there is scepticism around how the scores are determined so while mandating must be the first priority, reviewing the algorithm regularly will be imperative to achieving public health benefits. The current review of the dietary guidelines is an upcoming opportunity for this kind of algorithm review to take place."
FSANZ confirmed that the algorithm "will be prescribed" if the system becomes compulsory. "FSANZ is proposing amendments to aspects of the algorithm from that used for the voluntary system," a spokesperson said.
Mandate Only a First Step
The AMA described the mandate as a "positive first step, but it cannot be the last." "Labelling alone will not solve Australia’s obesity crisis," McMullen said. "We need a comprehensive prevention agenda that addresses the over-consumption of unhealthy food and drinks, particularly those high in added sugar."
Public submissions on the first stage of the proposal, covering the mandate, standardized design and location of the HSR symbol, and a prescribed algorithm, close on June 21. A second consultation round will occur later in 2026. "Like all lawmaking, setting mandatory food standards takes time," Jones said. "From the current government documentation we’re expecting a decision on this in early 2027, but I’d expect the food industry will still be given several years to make sure Health Stars appear on all packs."
