2014-3 14-Jul-14 Just-add-water' instant drink preparations (coffee, hot chocolate, chai etc) fall into the Category 1 – Beverages (other than dairy beverages), rather than Category 1D- Dairy Beverages as they deliver less than 10% RDI calcium/serve and contain more than 25% of non-dairy ingredients. As a result these products appear to be unfairly represented (as they are categorised alongside soft drinks, rather than milk based coffees and flavoured milks) and renovation by industry is not encouraged as there is no way within this category to increase the star rating unless you add in fibre or protein, which is not what the consumer is expecting or demanding from these products. 26-Aug-14 Rejected: application is deemed not an anomaly. Due to the significantly different nutritional composition between traditional milk based coffees and water based coffee preparations, it has been determined that it is unfair to compare one to the other. No further action. 2014-4 8-Aug-14 The definition of what is considered a constituent, an extract or as an isolate of FVNL (including coconut, spices, herbs, fungi, seeds and algae). 26-Aug-14 Rejected: application is deemed not an anomaly. Standard 1.2.7 clearly defines mycoprotein as an extract and therefore is not eligible for FVNL points under the HSR system. No further action.
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 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. 2015-2 2-Jan-15 By adding positive nutrients such as protein and fibre boosters, to food products such as a processed protein bar, manufacturers can develop products that score a HSR of 5, even when the natural protein and fibre content of the remaining ingredients remains negligible if not zero. This product group scores too highly compared with other similar products/groups ie the product group receives an inappropriate HSR. 17-Feb-15 Rejected: application is deemed not an anomaly. The HSR Calculator was not designed to discern different types of fibre. No further action.
2015-3 2-Jan-15 One potato chip product scores much higher than all other varieties. This is because the baseline points are just below 13, which means it is the only variety of chip that is eligible to count its protein points for the HSR. By slightly reducing the sodium and sat fat, but increasing the sugar, the product falls just below the baseline points thresholds and when compared to other products it receives an unrealistically high HSR. 17-Feb-15 Rejected: application is deemed not an anomaly. The HSRAC noted that there will be some outliers as a result of products that sit on or near the cut-points for the various nutrients. The example illustrates that by undertaking simple reformulation, a higher HSR is possible within that category. No further action. 2015-4 10-June-15 A 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 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.
2015-7 21-Aug-15 Honey is unfairly treated within the HSR system due to its high level of naturally occurring sugar. Most consumers perceive 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 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 consideration 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. 2015-8 14-Dec-15 Eggs receive only four stars despite being a natural food and containing essential vitamins and minerals. Submission withdrawn N/A N/A N/A
2016-3 1 Aug 16 Any food with substantial amounts of sugar, such as breakfast cereals, muesli bars and sweetened yoghurt are scored too high in relation to their HSR. N/A Rejected: application is deemed not an anomaly. In developing the HSR Calculator, the Front-of-Pack Labelling committees carefully considered the treatment of all nutrients within the HSR Calculator, with due consideration of Nutrient Profiling Scoring Criterion and the 2013 Australian Dietary Guidelines. The HSRAC is satisfied that sufficient technical consideration was applied during the development of the system and that the HSR Calculator is producing technically accurate star ratings for foods across all categories. While the HSRAC feels that the HSR Calculator is technically sound, they have acknowledged that the issue should be considered as a part of the five year review of the HSR system. No further action, however, this issue will be considered as part of the five year review of the HSR system. 2016-4 30 Oct 16 Some breakfast cereals containing 26.7% sugar have 4/5 health stars which indicates that the weighting/scaling of the different nutrients in the HSR Calculator must be skewed. This misleads consumers into believing that these products are a healthy choice when making comparisons within the breakfast cereal category or across comparable food categories. N/A Rejected: application is deemed not an anomaly. In developing the HSR Calculator, the Front-of-Pack Labelling committees carefully considered the treatment of all nutrients within the HSR Calculator, with due consideration of Nutrient Profiling Scoring Criterion and the 2013 Australian Dietary Guidelines. The HSRAC is satisfied that sufficient technical consideration was applied during the development of the system and that the HSR Calculator is producing technically accurate star ratings for foods across all categories. While the HSRAC feels that the HSR Calculator is technically sound, they have acknowledged that the issue should be considered as a part of the five year review of the HSR system. No further action, however, this issue will be considered as part of the five year review of the HSR system.