Introduced as a voluntary front-of-pack labelling scheme, the Health Star Rating system was designed to support healthier consumer purchasing decisions by providing a simple, interpretive nutrition guide. However, the scheme has fallen short of its original uptake target. While the goal was for 70% of eligible packaged foods to display a Health Star Rating by November 2025, current adoption sits at approximately 37%, raising concerns about its effectiveness as a public health tool under a voluntary model. 

The Health Star Rating algorithm assesses key nutrients of concern, including sugar, sodium, and saturated fat, to generate an overall score. As Australia’s food landscape evolves, particularly with the growth of ultra-processed foods, there are increasing calls to change the system to better account for levels of processing, including additives.  

In the key outcomes announced from the Food Ministers meeting from the 13th of February, recognised that this low uptake has reduced the system’s effectiveness and undermined consumer trust. In response, the majority of ministers requested FSANZ to prepare a formal proposal to mandate the HSR in the Food Standards Code.  FSANZ will run two rounds of public consultation before reporting back with a final proposal. Ministers also agreed to publish reports on HSR uptake and consumer research to boost transparency and confidence.  

In support of the initiative, all packaged food products to display a Health Star Rating would enhance transparency and empower consumers. With limited time to interpret nutrition information during routine shopping, many Australians benefit from clear guidance rather than complex nutrition panels and ingredient lists. 

For many brands, this will involve calculating ratings and may involve in the future recalculating pending algorithm discussion, updating packaging, managing regulatory compliance, and coordinating artwork rollouts across multiple SKUs. We work closely with suppliers to navigate Health Star Rating requirements, from calculating accurate ratings and assessing reformulation opportunities through to managing label updates and implementation across product ranges.

If your business would like support in adding or updating Health Star Ratings for your products, we are available to assist through every stage of the process. 

The government intends to strengthen existing voluntary food labelling arrangements with a reform into the development of an Industry Code of Practice for plant-based food labelling. The code is designed to go beyond current guidance by providing clearer expectations for how plant-based and alternative protein products should be labelled to support consumer choice and transparency. 

The reform aims to ensure that consumers should be able to clearly identify their protein source, emphasising the importance of clear and informative food labelling. The key objectives to include in the reform include discouraging animal imagery on packaging that may confuse consumers, limiting the use of meat-specific terminology without clear qualifiers, and improving the prominence of plant-based protein labelling terminology (“legume protein”). 

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has undertaken consumer and market research examining how Australian shoppers interpret plant-based labelling. The research did find that most consumers can accurately identify plant-based products and understand their composition, and are confident about how these products are intended to be used.  

Despite the results, the meat and livestock sectors want a compulsory regulatory framework. The industry voices that voluntary codes lack enforcement power, and stronger, mandated rules are needed to prevent misleading practices and protect consumers and primary producers.  

For businesses developing or marketing plant-based foods, navigating labelling requirements can be complex, particularly around ingredient declarations and product naming.

Our team offers specialist support in helping ensure labels align with regulations while remaining clear, accurate and consumer-friendly. From label reviews to claims and terminology assessments, we partner with you to reduce regulatory risk and support confident market entry. 

To help businesses respond, FSANZ has developed the Average Energy Content Calculator for alcoholic beverages. The calculator assists manufacturers in calculating the average energy content of packaged alcoholic beverages to prepare a compliant energy statement.  

The calculator allows you to determine average energy content by entering the core values required to develop your compliant energy statement. For each product, you will require the core information of:  

• Average alcohol content  

• Specific gravity  

• Serving size  

• Number of standard drinks per package 

• Number of servings per package 

Composition data (if applicable), expressed in g per 100 g: 

• Sugar alcohols (e.g. sorbitol, xylitol, erythritol, maltitol, mannitol, lactitol, isomalt, glycerol) 

• Carbohydrate 

• Fat 

• Protein 

• Fibre  

• Organic acids 

For many alcohol producers, particularly those with flavoured beverages, RTDs, liqueurs, or with added carbohydrate ingredients, this step may require an analytical laboratory analysis. 

We are already working with alcohol manufacturers and importers to prepare for these changes. Our services include: 

• Determining an energy statement on pack 

• Assisting in calculating compliant average energy values 

• Preparing labels and specifications to comply with the updated legislation  

• Conducting full label compliance reviews against the Code 

• Liaising where analytical verification is needed 

• Advising on artwork layout and regulatory positioning 

Don’t leave compliance till the last minute with early action allowing you to integrate changes to be a leading brand in the industry, avoid non-compliant stock and reduce regulatory risk. Contact us to today to assist you efficiently with the required changes today.