2014-7 21-Oct-14 Not all plain (nothing added) frozen vegetables score a HSR of 5 stars. This is inconsistent with the ADG which recommends individuals “enjoy a wide variety of nutritious foods from [the] five food groups everyday [including] plenty of vegetables of different types and colours”. 17-Feb-15 Rejected: application is deemed not an anomaly. Throughout the development of the HSR system, the Technical Design Working Group and Front of Pack Labelling Project Committee concluded that giving all vegetables a 5 star rating would impact on ratings for other food products and create a lack of differentiation for many processed foods. It would also alter the scores of other products within Category 2 – other foods. No further action. 2015-1 2-Jan-15 Products that contain both dairy and non-dairy components [such as cheese and crackers], but do not meet the requirements to be categorised as a category 2D food because they contain more than 25% non-dairy food, receive a low HSR score that is not representative of the combined food nor comparable to products that may be considered 'comparable' products. 17-Feb-15 Rejected: application is deemed not an anomaly. When cheese and crackers are presented in a single package, the crackers usually comprise more than 25% of the product. The HSRAC therefore agreed that the product should not be categorised as a dairy product, rather it falls into Category 2 – other foods. No further action.
2015-4 10-June-15 A juice product which appears to be aimed at children scores five stars despite its high energy and sugar content. The label states that the product contains “one serve of fruit” and “no added sugar”. However a single serve is defined as 250mL, equivalent to two serves of fruit according to the ADG, and a single serve contains 25.3g sugar. The rating obtained by the product and, as a result, the message being portrayed to consumers, is contrary to the advice provided in the ADG and Australian Guide to Healthy Eating. 17-July-15 Rejected: application is deemed not an anomaly. The product displays an accurate HSR and does not represent an anomaly according to the agreed definition. The matter raised pertains to serve sizes appropriate for children, the marketing of products to children and the potential for these products to be inconsistent with the ADG relevant to children, rather than the validity and accuracy of the HSR system and HSR Calculator outputs. The issue raised should be considered as part of the evaluation of the HSR system at the end of the five year implementation period. No further action, however, this issue should be considered as part of the evaluation of the HSR system.
2015-5 6-July-15 The system does not recognise that some foods fill special dietary needs and as a result does not provide sufficient differentiation between categories of products. Within the algorithm there is insufficient distinction between types of fats and insufficient weight is allocated to sugar quantities. 2-Oct-2015 Rejected: application is deemed not an anomaly. The HSRAC determined that during the development of the HSR system a very specific decision was made regarding the treatment of fat within the HSR algorithm. It was determined that for the purposes of the HSR system, saturated fat, a high risk nutrient, would be the only type of fat to contribute to HSR baseline points, noting that total fat content would be considered by way of the baseline points allocated for energy content. The Committee also determined that a very considered and purposeful decision was made regarding the role of allergens and foods manufactured for special dietary needs and it was determined that these considerations would be out of scope. No further action.
2015-6 13-July-15 Bottled water receives five stars whilst bottled flavoured water with a small amount of added sugar (or flavour etc.) receives only two stars suggesting that there is greater difference in ‘healthfulness’ than actually exists. Submission withdrawn N/A N/A N/A
2015-7 21-Aug-15 Honey is unfairly treated within the HSR system due to its high level of naturally occurring sugar. Most consumers perceive honey as a “healthier” product and a 1-star score may undermine that perception. 2-Oct-2015 Rejected: application is deemed not an anomaly. The HSRAC noted that the HSR system was not designed for single ingredient foods and that whilst there is no expectation that the HSR system be applied to such products, they were not excluded from the system. The HSRAC also noted that some suppliers of honey may wish to apply the HSR system, (even if only the energy icon) further supporting the position not to exclude this entire category of product from the HSR system. The issue will be put forward for as part of the evaluation of the HSR system; and a new frequently asked question, outlining that the HSR system is not designed for some product categories will be uploaded to the HSR website.
2016-2 11-Mar-16 Many fruit varieties and some whole fresh vegetables would receive less than five stars under the HSR system. This puts these products at a disadvantage compared to other rated products like fruit juices; and implies that fruit juice is healthier than or as healthy as whole fruits and vegetables. This is inconsistent with recommendations in the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating. N/A Rejected: application is deemed not an anomaly. Although it may be applied, the system is not intended for unprocessed or minimally processed fruits and vegetables. Throughout the development of the HSR system, the Technical Design Working Group and Front-of-Pack Labelling Project Committee concluded that giving all vegetables a five star rating would impact on ratings for other food products and create a lack of differentiation for many processed foods. It would also alter the scores of other products within Category 2 – other foods. No further action.