On Friday 14 June 2013, Australian food ministers signed off on a new star rating system for front-of-pack labelling for packaged foods.  The star system will consist of a rating scale of 1/2 a star to 5 stars, with 1/2 star increments. The star rating is underpinned by the modified Nutrient Profiling Scoring System. The greater the number of stars, the healthier the food.

Nutrient information (per 100 g or ml) will also be provided for saturated fat, sugar, sodium, and one optional positive nutrient eg calcium.  In addition, there will be an energy icon with the amount of kilojoules in the food item.

The implementation of the new labelling system is voluntary in the first instance, but could be mandated after a two year evaluation if uptake is slow.

For more information

Front of pack labelling program