Food companies in Australia and New Zealand have been given until November 2025 to achieve 70% uptake of the Health Star Rating (HSR) labelling system, or face mandatory implementation. Despite being introduced voluntarily in 2014, current adoption rates fall short, with only 30% of products in New Zealand and 32% in Australia carrying the label, well below the 2023 target of 50%.
Consumer demand is evident, with 83% of New Zealanders reportedly using the HSR when purchasing packaged foods for the first time. However, industry resistance remains, driven by concerns over limited label space, flawed ratings for certain products like juices and olive oil, and the negative sales impact for "treat" foods that score poorly under the system. Ministers have made it clear: if targets aren’t met by next year, the HSR system will likely become mandatory across both markets.
Comments