Are consumers in Australia being offered more information on the nutritional qualities of the products that they are picking up in supermarkets, compared to the rest of the world?

The Health Star Rating is a basis for many consumers choices in Australia, let’s see what it’s all about and explore if it truly benefits consumers…

What is the Health Star Rating?

The Health Star Rating (HSR) is a system whereby products are allocated a number of stars from 0.5 to 5. Supposedly, the more stars a product has, the healthier it is.

Developed by the Australian government and introduced in 2014, this system aims to help consumers quickly identify the nutritional value of packaged foods and make healthy decisions when they’re shopping and eating.

It is a front-of-pack labelling scheme and considers the product’s energy, saturated fat, total sugars, sodium content, protein, and fibre.

The good bits:

Quick and Easy Comparison: The stars provide an immediate visual representation of the nutritional quality of different foods. This is especially useful for busy shoppers and those who don’t care to read through the labels meticulously!

Promotes Healthier Choices: Consumers are encouraged to opt for products with higher ratings by prominently displaying the Health Stars on packaging. This obviously intends to help people make better, more informed choices without having to try too hard and initiate a gradual shift towards healthier diets and attitudes that concentrate on fuelling Australian minds and bodies.

Incentive for Industry Reformulation: In response to the HSR system, many food manufacturers have reformulated their products to achieve higher star ratings and win favour with consumers. This has led to reduced salt, sugar, and unhealthy fats in various foods, contributing to improved public health outcomes, since the systems introduction almost a decade ago.

The not so good bits:

Voluntary Nature: The main criticism of the HSR system is that it’s voluntary for food manufacturers to display the rating. This makes it really difficult for consumers to use it as a tool for comparison consistently. Should the HSR be mandatory for all products, so the playing field is a little more even? We think so.

Lack of Nuance: Some would argue it oversimplifies the complexity of nutrition. For example, a food high in protein might receive a higher rating, even if it’s also high in saturated fats or added sugars. This isn’t always an issue for the average consumer but definitely something to consider.

Focus on Packaged Foods only: The HSR system predominantly applies to packaged foods, leaving out fresh and unprocessed foods like fruits, vegetables, and meats. This might work backward to inadvertently discourage consumers from prioritising whole, natural foods.

Our verdict:

The Health Star Rating system undoubtedly offers significant benefits by providing Aussie consumers with a straightforward tool to assess the nutritional quality of foods.

Its ability to foster better dietary choices, promote industry reformulation, and raise nutritional awareness is beneficial for all of us.

However, it’s essential to recognise the limitations. The HSR system is most effective when used as part of a holistic approach to nutrition. This includes understanding ingredient lists, portion sizes, and the importance of a good balance of packaged products with whole, unprocessed foods.

Although not a one-size-fits-all solution, the Health Star Rating system is a step in the right direction toward encouraging healthier eating habits and Aussies are leading the charge. Perhaps other markets could learn a thing or two?!

Thoughts?

Does it help you to make better choices? Are you looking for support in promoting your packaged products? Let us know by dropping us a message on Instagram @liquid_aus or emailing brisbane@weareliquid.com