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Health Star Rating System Algorithm Review


Reported by: Natasha Lourenço

Publish date: 8th Sep 2024







Problem Identification: 

Currently, the Australian Health Star Rating (HSR) algorithm does not reflect up-to-date best practice nutritional information.


This means consumers may make dietary choices based on outdated or incomplete information, believing they are selecting healthy options. This may ultimately undermine public health efforts and erode trust in food labelling systems.

Context: 

Solution Identification: 

Advice: 


Download the 1-page policy brief PDF here:



 

Endorsed by: 


Public Support: 







3. Public Health Association of Australia, (HRS Review Paper)





4. Australian Chronic Disease Prevention Alliance, (Consultation on the 5-year HSR system review)









5. Consumers Health Forum of Australia, (Joint statement of public health and consumer groups)




6. Dietitians Association of Australia, (Joint statement of public health and consumer groups) 













9. Deakin University's Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN): Media release  “Health star label misleads consumers with high ratings for junk food”








Where to go to learn more: 


  1. Health Star Rating System Official Website: This site offers detailed information on the current HSR system, including the methodology behind the algorithm, the Guide for Industry, and recent updates. It's essential for understanding the existing framework and any ongoing discussions about potential revisions. http://www.healthstarrating.gov.au/internet/healthstarrating/publishing.nsf/content/home 

  2. The George Institute for Global Health - Food Policy Division: The George Institute conducts leading research on nutrition and food policies, including evaluations of the HSR system. Their reports and policy briefs provide evidence-based insights into the system's effectiveness and areas needing improvement, which can be crucial for informed decision-making. https://www.georgeinstitute.org/publications/uptake-of-australias-health-star-rating-system-2014-2019 


Lived Experience : 

Sarah, a mother of two, regularly relies on the Health Star Rating (HSR) system to make quick decisions about the food she buys for her family. She recently purchased a breakfast cereal with a high HSR, thinking it was a healthy option. However, after closer inspection, she discovered that the cereal contained added sugars and sodium, contradicting the star rating on the package. This left her feeling frustrated and misled, as she had been trying to make healthier choices for her children. If the HSR algorithm had been revised to align with current nutritional science, Sarah would have been able to see a more accurate star rating that truly reflected the product's healthiness, allowing her to confidently choose a better option for her family's health.


Reference list: 


  1. ABC News. (2024, August 14). Overhaul of Health Star Ratings, labelling and marketing of food. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-08-14/overhaul-of-health-star-ratings-labelling-and-marketing-of-food/104217784

  2. ABC News. (2017, October 12). What you need to know about the health star rating on foods. ABC News. https://www.abc.net.au/news/health/2017-10-12/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-health-star-rating-on-foods/9040200 

  3. Alimentando Políticas. (2019). Rotulagem e publicidade no Chile. Alimentando Políticas. https://alimentandopoliticas.org.br/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Rotulagem-e-Publicidade-no-Chile.pdf 

  4. Australian Chronic Disease Prevention Alliance (ACDPA) (2017, August 17). Consultation on the five-year review of the Health Star Rating system. https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/6eeba7_e74b5287fbbf4bf0ad17719c06e26ee2.pdf

  5. Deakin University. (n.d.). Health star label misleads consumers with high ratings for junk food. Retrieved from https://www.deakin.edu.au/about-deakin/news-and-media-releases/articles/health-star-label-misleads-consumers-with-high-ratings-for-junk-food

  6. Food Standards Agency (2023). Health Star Rating System. https://www.foodstandards.gov.au/consumer/labelling/Health-Star-Rating-System 

  7. Food Standards Agency. (n.d.). Check the label. Food Standards Agency. https://www.food.gov.uk/safety-hygiene/check-the-label 

  8. Food for Health Alliance. (2023, September 7). Inquiry into diabetes 2023: Food for Health Alliance submission. https://www.foodforhealthalliance.org.au/downloads/submissions/Inquiry%20into%20Diabetes%202023%20-%20Food%20for%20Health%20Alliance%20submission-%20FINAL%20edited%207%20September%202023.pdf 

  9. Health Star Rating System. (2019). Health Star Rating System five year review report. http://healthstarrating.gov.au/internet/healthstarrating/publishing.nsf/Content/D1562AA78A574853CA2581BD00828751/$File/Health-Star-Rating-System-Five-Year-Review-Report.pdf

  10. International Agency for Research on Cancer. (2021). IARC evidence summary brief 2. International Agency for Research on Cancer. https://www.iarc.who.int/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/IARC_Evidence_Summary_Brief_2.pdf 

  11. Obesity Evidence Hub. (n.d.). Health Star Rating system proposed improvements. Obesity Evidence Hub. https://www.obesityevidencehub.org.au/collections/prevention/health-star-rating-system-proposed-improvements 

  12. Sydney Morning Herald. (2024, June 20). Why that "healthy" supermarket snack with the five-star rating might be bad news. https://www.smh.com.au/goodfood/tips-and-advice/why-that-healthy-supermarket-snack-with-the-five-star-rating-might-be-bad-news-20240620-p5jnfd.html

  13. The George Institute for Global Health. (n.d.). Adding ultra-processing to health star rating offsets health halo effect. Retrieved from https://www.georgeinstitute.org/media-releases/adding-ultra-processing-to-health-star-rating-offsets-health-halo-effect



Conflict of interest / acknowledgment statement: 

N/a






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