Health stars: celery, lettuce and pumpkin deemed unworthy

Only half of the vegetables tested using the official Health Star Rating Calculator receive a five-star rating, according to vegetable industry body Ausveg.

The remaining half, including celery, lettuce and pumpkin, failed to meet the criteria for a five-star rating, instead only achieving four and a half stars, says Ausveg.

Ausveg says it is “appalled” at the number of vegetables that still do not receive a full rating under the new Health Star Rating System.

It says the current Percentage of Daily Intake system and the new Health Star Rating system both fail to consider the role of phytonutrients in vegetables, many of which are linked to the prevention of several health conditions and disorders, like cancer.

“We are extremely disappointed that not all vegetables are eligible for a five-star rating under the new front-of-pack labelling system,” said Ausveg manager – Government and Parliamentary Relations, Andrew White.

“Ausveg fails to see how the system would encourage consumers to purchase fresh vegetables, when it deems that celery – which provides a mere 64kj of energy per 100g serving – receives a four and a half star rating.”

White said that with obesity on the rise amongst Australians, awarding vegetables an automatic five stars would allow consumers to more easily determine what foods are best for them.

“Front-of-pack labelling policy should be well thought-out and backed by common sense,” he said.