Health leaders push for mandatory Health Star Ratings
The AMA has joined leading health organisations calling on Australia's food ministers to make Health Star Ratings mandatory on all packaged foods.
After many years of advocacy, and a joint push with VicHealth and the George Institute for Global Health this week, the federal government announced its support for these reforms.
South Australia and Victoria have also announced its support for these reforms, and it has been reported that NSW, and Queensland are also in support.
This marks a significant win for public health policy, driven by sustained AMA advocacy.
AMA President Dr Danielle McMullen said mandatory Health Star Ratings would be a major win for Australians’ health.
“Clear, front-of-pack labelling like Health Star Ratings allows busy Australians to see how healthy a product is at a glance,” she said.
“With diet-related diseases placing growing pressure on our health system, mandating Health Star Ratings is a simple, evidence-based step that will support better nutrition across the community.”
More than a decade after the voluntary system was introduced, the labels still appear on only a third of products, falling well short of the government’s target of 70 per cent uptake by November 2025.
VicHealth CEO Professor Anna Peeters AM said mandatory Health Star Ratings are an essential part of a healthier and fairer food system.
“Right now, it’s almost impossible for many families to see how healthy packaged foods really are. Mandatory Health Star Ratings will provide simple, trustworthy information, so people aren’t left guessing about the healthiness of what’s in their trolley,” Professor Peeters said.
Associate Professor Alexandra Jones, Program Lead Food Governance at The George Institute for Global Health, said the current voluntary scheme has reached its limits.
“We’ve seen slow and selective adoption of Health Star Ratings by food manufacturers, with companies often using the ratings on higher-scoring products while leaving low-scoring products unlabelled,” Associate Professor Jones said.
