Health Star Rating System fails on the vegetable front

The Health Star Rating System has one fatal flaw, according to AUSVEG: at least 50% of vegetables don’t receive a five-star rating.

The fact that whole, unprocessed vegetables aren’t considered to be five-star foods calls the system’s rating criteria into question and may threaten the system’s perceived integrity. If the system fails to identify these foods as optimum healthy choices, where else does it fall down?

Of 20 vegetables tested using the official Health Star Rating Calculator, only 10 received a five-star rating, with the remaining 10 only achieving four and a half stars, according to AUSVEG.

Celery, lettuce and pumpkin were among the vegetables that didn’t make the cut for a five-star rating, despite their many health benefits.

“We are extremely disappointed that not all vegetables are eligible for a five-star rating under the new front-of-pack labelling system,” said Andrew White, AUSVEG Manager - Government and Parliamentary Relations.

“Science has confirmed the myriad health benefits provided by a vegetable-rich diet, so to exclude some of them from receiving a five-star rating is sending the wrong message to Australian consumers about what they should really put on their plates.

“AUSVEG fails to see how the system would encourage consumers to purchase fresh vegetables when it deems that celery - which provides a mere 64 kJ of energy per 100 g serving - receives a four-and-a-half-star rating.

“With obesity on the rise amongst Australians, it is important that we convey good health messages. Awarding vegetables an automatic five stars would allow consumers to more easily determine what foods are best for them.”