Sanitarium reaches for the stars

Two Sanitarium product ranges, Up & Go liquid breakfast and Weet-Bix cereal, have hit the shelves with their Health Star Rating displayed on the front of their packs.

The Health Star Rating system scores products on a scale of 0.5 to five stars based on nutrient and whole food content, and Up&Go has 4.5 stars and Weet-Bix has 5.

Two years ago, consumer organisation Choice released a scathing report, Liquid breakfasts should up and go, on the health credentials of products in the category.

“Shonky claims on liquid breakfasts such as ‘high in fibre’, ‘fibre for digestive health’, and ‘goodness of three grains’ is a cause for concern,” it said.

Other companies are also showing off their health stars. Monster Health Food, an Australian-made and family-owned breakfast food company, launched the first products to display the controversial Health Star Rating. Its muesli products received a Health Star Rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

Kez’s Kitchen recently launched its Choc Mud Bars which are labelled under a new"Free & Naked" banner that also come with a 4-star rating.