Submission on the future application of the Health Star Rating system

The George Institute for Global Health appreciates the opportunity to provide a written response to the discussion paper provided by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) regarding the future application of the Health Star Rating (HSR) system.

In brief, we recommend that any product displaying a Nutrition Information Panel (NIP) be required to interpret that information for consumers through the application of a HSR label on the front of pack, with the exception of products specifically excluded from the system. This approach sets clear and simple expectations, to the benefit of all stakeholders – ensuring that consumers are presented with this easy-to-understand information where it is needed, reducing the potential for confusion amongst industry, and facilitating government monitoring and enforcement activities. It also aligns with current HSR system guidance for the vast majority of products.

The George Institute remains a strong supporter of the HSR system and we are pleased to see preparatory work to inform Food Ministers’ decisions on the future of the program progress. We believe a mandatory, strengthened HSR on the front-of-pack remains the priority action for improving the interpretive value of food labels to promote public health and consumer objectives.