Australia, New Zealand Consider Mandatory Nutrition Star Ratings on Packaged Foods

a finger pointing at five stars on blue background — Image credit: Freepik via Magnific

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is calling for comment on a proposal for a new front-of-pack nutrition labeling scheme.

The proposal would amend the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code to require packaged foods sold in Australia and New Zealand to display a Health Star Rating (HSR) symbol.

The HSR system is an interpretive front-of-pack nutrition labeling tool that summarizes a food’s overall nutritional profile using a simple star rating.

FSANZ raised the proposal in a February 2026 Food Ministers’ Meeting after voluntary uptake targets for the HSR system were not met.

Comments can be submitted on the proposal until June 21, 2026 on the FSANZ Consultation Hub.

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The Food Safety Magazine editorial team comprises Bailee Henderson, Digital Editor ✉ and Adrienne Blume, M.A., Editorial Director.

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