Star system food label breakthrough to fight fat

Posted November 28, 2012 00:30:01

There has been a breakthrough in the decade-long stalemate between industry and public health experts over a labelling system for processed food.

ABC1′s Lateline reports that a star system is now likely to be adopted by governments next year to help guide consumers in the fight against obesity.

Under the star system, the more stars an item of food has on its packaging, the more nutritious it is likely to be.

The star system would look similar to the rating system used on white goods for energy efficiency.

For years public health advocates have lobbied for traffic light labels as the best way to alert shoppers to levels of fat and salt in processed food.

It was a proposal backed by an independent government report, but in the face of industry opposition the Government rejected the idea and now, to avoid any more delay, public health experts are backing a star system.

The Public Health Association of Australia’s Michael Moore says it is a major breakthrough.

“The message will be very, very simple and straight forward. If you like, a five star system it’s very good for you,” he said.

“Something that only has half a star, well sure, you’ll eat it occasionally, but it’s not a food you would choose for its nutrition value.”

Unlike traffic lights, the star system has no negative colour-coding, which was opposed by industry.

Industry agrees the star system is a breakthrough.

But Gary Dawson from the Australian Food and Grocery Council says there is still work needed to be done.

“The technical work around making sure it reflects the science – so that’s really about ensuring that the star rating system reflects both good nutrients and bad nutrients, if I can put it over-simplistically,” he said.

“It does need consumer testing. There’s no point going down this path if in consumer testing it’s found it’s not meaningful, that consumers don’t understand it.”

Negotiations will continue under the guidance of the Federal Department of Health, but industry and public health advocates hope to have an agreement on a star system ready for state and federal ministers early next year.

Topics: food-and-beverage, health, obesity, australia

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