scholarly journals Uptake of Australia’s Health Star Rating System

Nutrients ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 997 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandra Jones ◽  
Maria Shahid ◽  
Bruce Neal
Keyword(s):  
Food Category ◽  
Star Rating ◽  
Nutrition Labelling ◽  
Food Purchases ◽  
Annual Survey ◽  
Vegetable Products ◽  
Retail Outlets ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Summary Data ◽  
Labelling Scheme

In June 2014, Australia and New Zealand adopted a voluntary front-of-pack nutrition labelling scheme in the form of the Health Star Rating (HSR) system. Our aim was to assess its uptake in Australia while a formal five-year review of the system is underway. Numbers and proportions of products eligible to carry a HSR were recorded each year between 2014 and 2017 as part of an annual survey of four large Australian retail outlets. Mean HSR values were determined for products that were and were not labelled with a HSR logo, and summary data presented overall, by HSR score, by major food category, and for leading manufacturers. Results show that uptake is increasing: HSR appeared on 4348/15,767 (28%) of eligible products in 2017 and has now appeared on 7922 products since implementation. Of those products displaying a HSR logo, more than three-quarters (76.4%) displayed a HSR of ≥3.0. Products displaying a HSR logo had a higher mean HSR (3.4), compared to products not displaying a HSR logo (2.7). Uptake was highest on convenience foods (44%), cereals (36.7%), and fruit and vegetable products (35.9%). More than 100 manufacturers were using the system, but retailers Coles, Woolworths and Aldi were together responsible for 54% of uptake. For all except Coles, Woolworths and Campbell Arnott’s, the mean HSR of products displaying a logo on pack was higher than products made by that manufacturer not showing a HSR logo. We conclude that to ensure the consistent and widespread uptake required for consumers to make informed food purchases, HSR should be made mandatory at the conclusion of the five-year review.

scholarly journals Uptake of Australia’s Health Star Rating System 2014–2019

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 1791 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Shahid ◽  
Bruce Neal ◽  
Alexandra Jones
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
T Test ◽  
Rating System ◽  
Group Differences ◽  
Nutrition Label ◽  
Food Category ◽  
Star Rating ◽  
Annual Survey ◽  
Retail Outlets ◽  
Summary Data

In June 2014, Australia and New Zealand adopted a voluntary front-of-pack nutrition label, the Health Star Rating (HSR) system. Our aim was to assess its uptake in Australia in the five years following adoption and examine the feasibility of proposed targets for future uptake. Numbers and proportions of products eligible to carry a HSR were recorded each year between 2014 and 2019 as part of an annual survey of four large Australian retail outlets. Uptake was projected to 2024. Mean HSR values were determined for products that were, and were not labelled with a HSR logo, and summary data presented overall, by HSR score, by major food category, by manufacturer and manufacturer group. Differences in mean HSR were assessed by independent samples t-test. HSR uptake continues to increase, appearing on 7118/17,477 (40.7%) of eligible products in 2019. Voluntary display of the HSR logo was increasing linearly at 6.8% annually. This would need to be maintained to reach 70% by 2024. Of those products displaying a HSR logo, more than three quarters (76.4%) had a HSR ≥ 3.0. Products displaying a HSR logo had a significantly higher mean HSR (3.4), compared to products not displaying a HSR logo (2.6) (p < 0.001). One hundred and thirty-nine manufacturers were using HSR, but retailers Coles, Woolworths and ALDI were together responsible for the majority of uptake (55.9%). Manufacturer members of the Australian Food and Grocery Council were responsible for 28.6% of uptake. Our findings illustrate the limits of commercial goodwill in applying HSR voluntarily. Ongoing implementation must pair clear targets and timelines for uptake with a firm pathway to make HSR mandatory if sufficient progress is not achieved.

scholarly journals A citizen perspective on nutritional warnings as front-of-pack labels: insights for the design of accompanying policy measures

2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (18) ◽  
pp. 3450-3461 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gastón Ares ◽  
Jessica Aschemann-Witzel ◽  
María Rosa Curutchet ◽  
Lucía Antúnez ◽  
Ximena Moratorio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Public Support ◽  
Food Choices ◽  
Nutrition Labelling ◽  
Food Purchases ◽  
Food Packages ◽  
Policy Measures ◽  
High Level ◽  
Labelling Scheme

AbstractObjectiveNutritional warnings have recently been suggested as a simplified front-of-pack nutrition labelling scheme to facilitate citizens’ ability to identify unhealthful products and discourage their consumption. However, citizens’ perspective on this policy is still under-researched. The objective of the present work was to study how citizens perceive nutritional warnings and to evaluate public support of this policy, with the goal of deriving recommendations for the design of policy measures accompanying the introduction of nutritional warnings.DesignAn online survey with 1416 Uruguayan citizens, aged 18–75 years, 61 % female, was conducted. Participants had to answer a series of questions (open-ended and multiple-choice) related to their perception of warnings as a front-of-package nutrition labelling scheme.ResultsParticipants showed a positive attitude towards nutritional warnings, which were regarded as easy to understand and to identify on food packages. The majority of respondents emphasized that they would take nutritional warnings into account when making their food choices, stating that they would allow them to make informed choices and, consequently, to increase the quality of their diet and their health status. Health motivation appeared as a crucial driver for taking nutritional warnings into consideration.ConclusionsA high level of public support for nutritional warnings was observed. Responses can be used to derive a range of recommendations for a policy mix that should synergistically support the introduction of nutritional warnings and encourage citizens to take them into account when making their food purchases.

scholarly journals Consumers’ Perceptions of the Australian Health Star Rating Labelling Scheme

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 704 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fiona E. Pelly ◽  
Libby Swanepoel ◽  
Joseph Rinella ◽  
Sheri Cooper
Keyword(s):  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Nutrition Information ◽  
Processed Foods ◽  
Iterative Approach ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Star Rating ◽  
Australian Health ◽  
Purposive Sample ◽  
Labelling Scheme

The objective of this study was to explore consumers’ use and perception of the Australian Health Star Rating (HSR). A purposive sample of fifteen Australian grocery shoppers was recruited into four focus groups using a supermarket intercept strategy. Focus group discussions were recorded, transcribed and analysed using an iterative approach to thematic analysis. Three key themes emerged from analysis. The HSR was seen as simple, uncluttered, easy to understand and useful for quick comparison across products. The nutrition information was viewed positively; however, there was little confidence in the HSR due to a perceived lack of transparency in the criteria used to determine the number of stars. Highly processed foods were generally seen as having inflated ratings and participants expressed concern that this would increase consumption of these products. Finally, there was a belief that the HSR had a lack of negative imagery limiting the dissuasive impact on consumers when presented with low-rated foods. Consumers saw benefits in the HSR but were sceptical about how the ratings were derived. Transparency about the development and education on the application may assist with consumers’ perception of the HSR.

scholarly journals Consumers’ Responses to Front-of-Pack Nutrition Labelling: Results from a Sample from The Netherlands

Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 1817 ◽  
Author(s):  
Egnell ◽  
Talati ◽  
Gombaud ◽  
Galan ◽  
Hercberg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
The Netherlands ◽  
Nutritional Quality ◽  
Food Choices ◽  
European Countries ◽  
Star Rating ◽  
Traffic Lights ◽  
Nutrition Labelling ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Overall Performance ◽  
Nutritional Profiles

Front-of-pack labels (FoPLs) are efficient tools for helping consumers identify healthier food products. Although discussions on nutritional labelling are currently ongoing in Europe, few studies have compared the effectiveness of FoPLs in European countries, including the Netherlands. This study aimed to compare five FoPLs among Dutch participants (the Health Star Rating (HSR) system, Multiple Traffic Lights (MTL), Nutri-Score, Reference Intakes (RIs), and Warning symbols) in terms of perception and understanding of the labels and food choices. In 2019, 1032 Dutch consumers were recruited and asked to select one product from among a set of three foods with different nutritional profiles, and then rank the products within the sets according to their nutritional quality. These tasks were performed with no label and then with one of the five FoPLs on the package, depending on the randomization arm. Finally, participants were questioned on their perceptions regarding the label to which they were exposed. Regarding perceptions, all FoPLs were favorably perceived but with only marginal differences between FoPLs. While no significant difference across labels was observed for food choices, the Nutri-Score demonstrated the highest overall performance in helping consumers rank the products according to their nutritional quality.

scholarly journals Low-cost foods: how do they compare with their brand name equivalents? A French study

2009 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 808-815 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole Darmon ◽  
France Caillavet ◽  
Caroline Joly ◽  
Matthieu Maillot ◽  
Adam Drewnowski
Keyword(s):  
Nutritional Quality ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Quality Score ◽  
Food Category ◽  
Nutrition Labelling ◽  
French Study ◽  
Total Fat ◽  
Food Budget ◽  
The Relationship

AbstractObjectiveConsumers are increasingly relying on low-cost foods, although it is not clear if the nutritional quality of these foods is fully maintained. The aim of the present work was to analyse the relationship between cost and quality within a given food category.Design and settingThe relationship was analysed between nutritional quality and cost for 220 food products belonging to seventeen different categories, controlling for package type and package size. Given that a summary of nutrient information was not available on the product label, a novel ingredient quality score was developed based on listed product ingredients.ResultsWithin a given category, the lowest-priced foods were not different from the equivalent branded products in terms of overall energy or total fat content. Nevertheless, a positive relationship, small but significant, was observed between the price and the ingredient quality score. On average, the branded products cost 2·5 times more than the low-cost products, for an equivalent energy and lipid content, and had a slightly higher (1·3 times) ingredient quality score.ConclusionsMore studies are necessary to evaluate the nutritional quality of low-cost foods. This evaluation would be facilitated if nutrition labelling was mandatory. Yet in view of the present results, it does not seem to be justified to divert consumers, especially the poorest, from low-cost foods because this may have an adverse effect on the nutritional quality of their diet, by reducing further the fraction of their food budget spent on fresh fruit and vegetables.

scholarly journals Aplikasi Label Pintar Edible dari Ekstrak Antosianin Ubi Jalar Ungu (Ipamoea Batatas L.) untuk Monitoring Kesegaran Sayuran Cabai Hijau (Capsicum Annuum L.)

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 54
Author(s):  
Aissa Dinar Yanuariski ◽  
Bambang Kuswandi ◽  
Ari Satia Nugraha
Keyword(s):  
Ipomoea Batatas ◽  
Color Change ◽  
Mean Value ◽  
Green Is ◽  
Vegetable Products ◽  
Evaluation Test ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Purple Sweet Potato ◽  
Light Green

Vegetable products are foods that are popular with many people. One vegetable product such as green chili is a vegetable commodity that cannot be abandoned by society in daily life. This was followed by demands for quality of green chili products. so that an analytical tool is needed that can analyze the freshness of green chili easily and practically. This study aims to develop an edible freshness sensor based on anthocyanin indicators from purple sweet potato extract (Ipomoea batatas L.) with a membrane mixture of cassava starch and chitosan. The edible freshness sensor can be applied as a freshness sensor and know the freshness level of green chili with various parameters. Tests for green chili freshness test included pH test, weight loss, texture value, and sensory evaluation test. The color change of the edible freshness sensor was observed visually and tested using the ImageJ program to determine the mean green value. The results show the color change of the freshness sensor is dark purple when the green chili is fresh, the light purple is still fresh and the light green is no longer fresh or rotten. The mean value of the green sensor for edible freshness increased along with the decline in the quality of green chili in the packaging. Keywords: Anthocyanin, tapioca starch, chitosan, green chilli

Can an On-Shelf Nutrition Labelling System Improve the Nutritional Quality of Food Purchases in Supermarkets?

2015 ◽  
Vol 39 ◽  
pp. S32 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erin Hobin ◽  
Jocelyn Sacco ◽  
Lana Vanderlee ◽  
Laura Rosella ◽  
Mary L’abbe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nutritional Quality ◽  
Nutrition Labelling ◽  
Food Purchases ◽  
Quality Of Food ◽  
Labelling System

scholarly journals Development of the Healthy Purchase Index (HPI): a scoring system to assess the nutritional quality of household food purchases

2018 ◽  
Vol 22 (5) ◽  
pp. 765-775 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marion Tharrey ◽  
Christophe Dubois ◽  
Matthieu Maillot ◽  
Florent Vieux ◽  
Caroline Méjean ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Nutritional Quality ◽  
Dietary Guidelines ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Food Purchases ◽  
Deprived Neighbourhoods ◽  
Sugary Drinks ◽  
Household Food ◽  
The Mean

AbstractObjectiveTo develop an index to assess the nutritional quality of household food purchases based on food expenditures only.DesignA database of monthly food purchases of a convenience sample of low-income households was used to develop the Healthy Purchase Index (HPI). The HPI is the sum of two sub-scores based on expenditure shares of food categories in total household food expenditure: the purchase diversity sub-score and the purchase quality sub-score. The first was adapted from an existing diversity score. The second integrated those food categories identified as the best predictors of the nutritional quality of purchases based on associations between expenditure shares of food categories and two nutritional quality indicators: the mean adequacy ratio (MAR) and the mean excess ratio (MER). Correlation between the HPI and a score assessing adherence to French dietary guidelines (PNNS-GSmod) was performed as a first validation.Setting/ParticpantsFood purchases of 112 households from deprived neighbourhoods of Marseille (France), participating in the Opticourses and Jassur projects (2012–2015).ResultsThe purchase diversity sub-score reflects the presence in food purchases of five food categories: fruits, vegetables, starches, dairy products, and meat, fish & eggs. The purchase quality sub-score is based on expenditure shares for fruit & vegetables, added fats & seasonings, sweet snacks, cheese, sugary drinks, refined grains and fish, as these were identified as predictors of the nutritional quality of purchases. The HPI was positively associated with the PNNS-GSmod (rs=0·378; P<0·001).ConclusionsThe HPI helps assess the healthiness of household food purchases.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document