The second phase of the Health Star Rating (HSR) awareness campaign, worth $2.1 million, has kicked off.
More than 1000 products in Australia now carry a health star rating, and the next phase, jointly funded by state and territory governments, will feature print, online and social media advertising aimed at the main grocery buyer in households, as well as in-store promotion.
Assistant Minister for Health Fiona Nash said she was pleased so many Australian food companies were adopting the HSR system.
“Few people have the time to read every nutritional chart on every product they buy from the supermarket, and this system provides a quick and easy alternative,” she said.
“The system also allows time-poor parents to quickly choose healthier products for their kids, and encourages companies to be more careful about the salt, sugar and kilojoules in the food they produce.”
The HSR system is a joint initiative of the state and territory governments, in partnership with industry, public health and consumer groups. Between half-a-star and five stars appear on the front of the package, with five stars indicating the best nutritional score.
Companies that have adopted the HSR system include Sanitarium, Woolworths, Coles, Nestle, Heinz, Fonterra, Simplot, Vitality, Mars, Lion, Betta Foods, Monster Health Food Company, Food for Health, Freedom Foods, Vetta, Parker's Organic, Yummia, Campbell's Arnotts, Unilever and Kellogg’s.
