Call for better food labelling: mandating HSR not enough

At the Food Ministers’ Meeting on 25 July in Adelaide, one of the key topics under discussion was changes required to the Health Star Rating (HSR) system, such as mandating the system. While Dr Sharayah Carter, Human Biosciences (Nutrition and Dietetics) at RMIT, believes mandating the system is a positive move, she is still concerned that food labelling regimes are falling short and mandating won’t fix all the issues.

At the meeting, the ministers agreed to place management of the HSR system under Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) and the Food Regulation Standing Committee, in order to increase transparency and reduce industry influence.

Carter said simply making the HSR system mandatory won’t address all its issues, as “the current system can be manipulated by food manufacturers”.

“For example, sugary breakfast cereals might score high due to added fibre, and diet soft drinks might get a good rating despite their low nutrient value because they use artificial sweetener instead of sugar,” she said. 

“Therefore, it is essential to review and update the HSR system to close these loopholes and ensure that ratings truly reflect a product’s healthiness.”

Carter also commented that the Nutrition Information Panel (NIP) needs improvement.

“While the NIP provides details about a food’s nutritional content, it can be confusing,” she said.

“Simplifying and standardising the NIP, and highlighting key factors such as added sugars, artificial ingredients and processing methods, will help consumers better understand what they are eating. For instance, making a clearer distinction between naturally occurring and added sugars can make a significant difference.

“Ultimately, food labelling should offer clear, accurate, and easy-to-understand information to help Australians make healthier choices.

“This requires not only regulatory changes, but also collaboration with public health experts, nutrition experts and consumers.

“The recent decisions at the Food Ministers’ Meeting are a positive step forwards, but ongoing efforts will be crucial to ensure these changes lead to real health benefits for everyone.”

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