The Health Star Rating system was developed to help make informed decisions on nutrition information when purchasing packaged foods.
The rating helps compare between foods in the same category and make healthier choices.
Where did the Health Star Rating System come from?
The Health Star rating system is an initiative led by the Australian and New Zealand governments. The System was developed in collaboration with industry, public health and consumer groups. It was introduced in 2014 on a voluntary basis. The system was formally reviewed in 2019.
How does the Health Star Rating System work?
Products are given a rating of 0.5 to 5 stars. The more stars, the healthier the choice within that category.
The star rating is calculated based on a combination of the energy and nutrients per 100g. Some risk nutrients such as saturated fat, sodium (salt) and sugars lower the score. Positive nutrients include dietary fibre, protein and proportion of fruit, vegetable, nut and legume content improve the score.
How do I use it?
When you’re at the supermarket you can use the health star rating to compare food in the same category, e.g. plain yoghurt with strawberry yoghurt. It is not designed to compare different types of products e.g. yoghurt versus milk.
Fonterra’s commitment to nutrition
Fonterra is committed to being a leader in sustainable dairy nutrition. We know that by providing access to good nutrition with clear labelling this can help Kiwis make informed decisions. We have committed to roll out the Health Star Rating on applicable products* as we refresh our packaging; and include Health Star Rating information on our websites for all products.
Want more information?
Please visit: Health Star Rating
* ‘Applicable products’ are those intended for everyday consumption in New Zealand and where the packaging is not also used for export to regions where the health star rating is not accepted
