Health star website back on track

Dr Parnis said educating people about what is in the food and drink they consume is crucial in Australia’s efforts to reduce the alarming rates of obesity and overweight in the community.

“The Health Star Front of Pack Labelling (FOPL) approach provides consumers with simple ‘at a glance’ information about saturated fats, total sugar, sodium and overall energy content,” Dr Parnis said.

“The healthier the food, the higher the number of stars it will have on the label.

“The AMA commends the companies that are already displaying the health star rating on their products, and we look forward to all food producers participating as soon as possible.

“We hope that the health star rating system encourages producers to reformulate food products that can be nutritionally improved.

“Under current arrangements, food producers have five years in which to voluntarily adopt the health star labelling system. The AMA would support the Government making the system mandatory for any sections of the food industry that have failed to adopt this labelling approach in five years.

“The health star rating is only one of a range of measures required to reduce the rates of overweight and obesity in Australia. It must be supported by other actions such as reducing children’s exposure to the advertising of unhealthy foods, and increasing opportunities for physical activity,” Dr Parnis said.

According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW):

• good nutrition is important for everyone. It can help to maintain healthy body weight, protect against infections, and reduce the risk of chronic diseases;
• in 2011-12, 92 per cent of Australian adults did not eat the recommended five serves of vegetables a day, and 52 per cent did not eat the recommended two serves of fruit;
• in 2011-12, ‘treat’ foods such as soft drinks, cakes and biscuits, which are generally high in energy and low in nutrients, contributed to 36 per cent of energy intake for adults;
• in 2011-12, 63 per cent of Australian adults were overweight or obese (70 per cent of men, and 56 per cent of women). This has increased from 57 per cent in 1995; and
• 26 per cent of children aged 5-14 are overweight or obese. Although the proportion of overweight children has not risen in recent years, the high rate is still a cause for concern.

9 December 2014

CONTACT:        John Flannery                     02 6270 5477 / 0419 494 761

                            Odette Visser                      02 6270 5412 / 0427 209 753