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Briefs

Food Ministers’ Meeting – HSR consumer research and other regulatory topics

Food Ministers’ Meeting – HSR consumer research and other regulatory topics

30 July 2025

Background  

On Friday 25 July, the Food Ministers’ Meeting (FMM) met and issued a communique.  

Ministers agreed not to seek review of the following variations to the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (the Code): 

  • P1055 – Definitions for gene technology and new breeding techniques (NBTs) 
  • P1059 – Energy labelling on alcoholic beverages 
  • P1049 – Carbohydrate and sugar claims on alcoholic beverages 
  • A1314 – Permitting small dogs and cats in aircraft cabins (Australia only). 

This means the changes will now be gazetted. 

While concerns were raised about the potential for sugar claims to give a misleading impression of alcohol’s healthfulness, Ministers agreed to monitor the issue over five years, including the FSANZ Board undertaking a review. 

Of interest to members, the following food policy matters were also discussed: 

Health Star Rating system and nutrition labelling 

Ministers reviewed new consumer research showing strong awareness of the Health Star Rating (HSR) system, but ongoing confusion about how to use it—particularly that HSR is intended for comparing similar products only. This underscores the need for further consumer education. The full report is available on the Health Star Rating website. FSANZ also provided an update on its assessment of the potential to mandate the HSR, including how it could align with the NIP for online food sales. 

Key report findings include: 

  • The majority of participants (89%) were aware of the HSR when prompted 
  • The majority of participants (87%) knew at least a little bit about the system 
  • Most participants (78%) understand that the HSR can be used to compare similar food products, but there remains significant confusion about using the HSR to compare different foods. 
  • Over half of participants trust the system, but around 25% distrust it. 
  • The majority of participants (69%) use the HSR at least sometimes. 

Ministers also noted FSANZ’s ongoing review of the Nutrition Information Panel (NIP), which is focusing on areas such as nutrient declarations, serving size clarity, percentage daily intake information, and label readability. 

Food regulation and obesity prevention 

Ministers discussed how the food regulation system can support the objectives of the National Obesity Strategy 2022–2032 and the National Preventive Health Strategy 2021–2030, both of which aim to reduce rising rates of obesity and diet-related disease. They agreed to establish a governance structure to support coordination between the food regulation system and relevant health agencies. This will guide future actions and reporting on how food regulation can contribute to national obesity prevention efforts. 

Information for food sold online 

Ministers discussed a policy paper about information for food sold online when consumers do not have access to the physical label. Further details will be published on the Food Regulation website shortly. 

AFGC action 

The AFGC will continue to actively engage with FSANZ including participation of their upcoming Health Star Rating preparatory work webinar in mid-August which is seeking views on how the HSR system could be applied if made mandatory. The AFGC will keep the members informed of any further developments. 

Contact  

For more information contact Anne-Marie Mackintosh, Associate Director – Nutrition and Regulation anne-marie.mackintosh@afgc.org.au or 0448 170 568. 

 
Dr Duncan Craig  
Director – Nutrition and Regulation