Response to FSANZ proposal to consider amending the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code

The George Institute for Global Health has responded to Food Standards Australia New Zealand's proposal to mandate the Health Star Rating (HSR) system on packaged foods, arguing that voluntary implementation has failed to deliver the consistent nutrition information consumers need to make informed choices. The submission strongly supports mandatory Health Star Ratings, alongside measures to improve label visibility, strengthen transparency, and establish an independent future review of the HSR algorithm to maximise public health impact.

The submission is complemented by a joint open letter from leading public health organisations and experts, which calls for the mandatory implementation of Health Star Ratings and highlights strong public support for the reform. The letter emphasises that, after more than a decade of voluntary implementation, uptake remains well below government targets and that mandatory ratings are needed to provide clear, consistent nutrition information for consumers.