Member Matters

Food for thought

18 February 2026

Food Ministers have now directed Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) to begin the process of mandating the Health Star Rating (HSR) system.

While voluntary uptake has increased over time, it has not reached the 70% target set for November 2025. We are now moving into a formal regulatory phase, expected to take at least 12-18 months to amend the Code, followed by transition time for implementation.

Recent coverage on ABC 730 highlights just how contested this space remains. The next stage will be closely scrutinised, and hard fought.

We are already seeing renewed pressure from some public health groups to alter the HSR algorithm to include level of processing or warning labels as an alternative. This would represent a significant departure from the system’s food and nutrient-based design. The team will continue to advocate strongly to ensure the system’s algorithm is unchanged, and there is an adequate transition period and stock in trade time of HSR labelling on packaged products.

Our member working group will stay actively engaged with FSANZ, and I encourage you to stay involved. Your technical and operational insights matter.

We’ve also prepared a short HSR explainer to support your internal discussions. This next phase will require engagement, clarity, and steady resolve. I encourage you to stay closely attuned.

In other news, on the sustainability front, the team have recently met with both the Federal Environment Minister’s Office and the Tasmanian Minister for the Environment to discuss nationally consistent circular economy settings and the practical implications for food and grocery manufacturing. We were pleased to hear that the AFGC is on the government’s priority stakeholder list for ongoing consultation.

Dr Duncan Craig
Director – Regulatory Affairs and Trade