AFGC accused of undermining star rating system

The Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC) has been accused of undermining the star rating front-of-pack labelling system that was agreed to by the former Labor government. The AFGC has defended the allegations, saying it remains committed to the scheme.

Jane Martin from the Obesity Policy Coalition told ABC News that the AFGC is backing away from the agreement, which was developed after two years of negotiations with government, industry and health groups.

“It has been developed with industry at the table and a number of concessions have been made by public health and consumer groups,” Martin told the ABC.

“Initially we wanted traffic lights and industry wanted to stay with their DIG [Daily Intake Guide] but they have developed a new scheme. It’s been tested with consumers [and] we believe that it would help people make healthy choices. That’s what we’re trying to do.

“I think the processed-foods industry is concerned that it will, in fact, drive people to healthier choices. That’s all I can think and that maybe the effectiveness of a scheme like this is proving to be its downfall.”

While the AFGC admits to having concerns about the labelling change - which will cost industry more than $200 million to implement - a spokesperson says this does not mean the AFGC is turning its back on the agreement.

The spokesperson told ABC News that the AFGC is committed to implementing a scheme that is “attractive to industry and meaningful to consumers”, but has concerns about the particular system that has been agreed upon.

According to Choice Chief Executive Alan Kirkland, the AFGC is fighting to keep the DIG. Kirkland says the DIG undermines the progress that has been made on the issue.

“The daily intake guide is at best misleading [and] at worst dangerous, because it suggests that there’s a percentage of things like fat and sugar and salt that you should be aiming for each day, but the best nutritional advice is that you should try and minimise those,” Kirkland told ABC News.

“There is nobody in Australia who is salt deficient, so we shouldn’t be encouraging people to eat more, which is really what that guide does.”