When you stroll down the supermarket aisles, you’re easily lured by the bright packaging and the reassuring Health Star Ratings (HSR) stamped on the front of your favourite snacks.
Four stars? Five stars? Must be a healthy choice, right? Not so fast, says a leading nutritionist, who’s sounding the alarm on what she calls a ‘ticking public health time bomb‘ hiding in plain sight on our grocery shelves.
The Health Star Rating system was introduced in Australia in 2014 as a quick and easy way for shoppers to compare the nutritional value of similar packaged foods.
The idea was simple: the more stars, the healthier the choice. But as Mandy Sacher, a pediatric nutritionist, and a growing chorus of health experts point out, the reality is far more complicated—and potentially dangerous.
According to Sacher, many foods marketed to children and families—think muesli bars, breakfast cereals, and snack packs—are racking up four or even five stars, despite being loaded with additives, synthetic fibres, artificial sweeteners, and industrial seed oils.
These ingredients, she warns, are increasingly linked to a host of health issues, including ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), gut damage, insulin resistance, anxiety, depression, and even cancer.
‘Parents trust the stars. But often, the higher the rating, the more processed the product,’ Sacher said. ‘That’s not just confusing—it’s dangerous.’
How does the HSR system work?
The HSR system assigns a rating from half a star to five stars based on an algorithm that weighs the product’s energy (kilojoules), saturated fat, sodium, and total sugar content. It also gives points for positive nutrients like fibre and protein, and the presence of fruits, vegetables, nuts, and legumes.
But here’s the catch: the system doesn’t penalise for the presence of artificial additives, refined starches, or emulsifiers. Nor does it consider how processed a food is.
This means that a highly processed snack bar, engineered in a lab and packed with synthetic fibre or isolated protein, can score just as highly—or even higher—than a simple, whole food like plain nuts or yoghurt.
Sacher pointed out, ‘If 100 per cent walnuts can’t get five stars, but kids’ lollies can, we need to admit the system is broken.’
The crux of the issue lies in the rise of ultra-processed foods—products that have been heavily modified from their original form and often contain ingredients you wouldn’t find in a home kitchen.
The internationally recognised NOVA scale classifies foods based on their level of processing, and mounting evidence links ultra-processed foods to overeating, addictive eating behaviours, and a range of chronic health conditions.
‘These ultra-processed snacks are engineered to override satiety and promote overconsumption, yet they’re being marketed to kids with government endorsement,’ Sacher said.
‘We’re rewarding fake food and penalising real food, and that’s fuelling a preventable health crisis.’
A system in need of reform
Sacher isn’t alone in her concerns. Even the government’s own 2019 review of the HSR system flagged serious flaws: no independent watchdog, no penalties for additives, and a lack of consistency. Yet, as she noted, ‘Six years later, nothing has changed.’
Sacher’s solution? She’s launched her own ‘Real Food Rating’ system, which scores foods based on how they’re made, not just their nutrient profile. She aims to help families spot red flags, decode packaging claims, and choose food based on what matters most.
She’s also calling on the government to collaborate with independent, science-led systems like hers, and to overhaul the HSR to reflect what families actually care about: real, minimally processed food.
The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing defends the system, saying it’s designed to help shoppers compare similar packaged foods rather than to provide a comprehensive assessment of a product’s healthfulness.
‘A high HSR does not mean that the food or beverage provides all of the essential nutrients required for a balanced and healthy diet or that the product should be eaten in large quantities, or often,’ a spokesperson said.
Food Standards Australia New Zealand also points out that all food additives must undergo a safety assessment before being permitted for use and must be clearly labelled on food products.
But as Sacher and other critics argue, just because an additive is approved doesn’t mean it’s harmless in the context of a highly processed diet, especially for children.
What can you do as a consumer?
So, what’s a health-conscious shopper to do? Here are a few tips to help you navigate the supermarket minefield:
- Use the HSR as a rough guide, but don’t rely on it exclusively. Check the ingredients list and look for whole, recognisable foods.
- Be wary of products with long lists of additives, emulsifiers, and artificial sweeteners—especially those marketed to children.
- Choose minimally processed foods, such as fresh fruit and vegetables, plain nuts, and whole grains, where possible.
- Familiarise yourself with the NOVA scale and learn to spot ultra-processed foods.
- If you’re concerned about the HSR system, you can make your voice heard by contacting your local Member of Parliament, writing to food manufacturers, and joining the conversation online.
The Health Star Rating system was created with good intentions. Still, as our understanding of nutrition and food processing evolves, it’s clear that the system is overdue for a significant overhaul.
Until then, it’s up to us as consumers to stay informed, read labels carefully, and make choices that prioritise real, whole foods over processed convenience.
Have you ever been misled by a Health Star Rating? Do you find the system helpful, or does it need a rethink? Share your experiences and thoughts in the comments below.
Also read: Discover the eight high-protein snacks nutritionists swear by
