2014-2 10-Jul-14 The HSR system assesses oil and fats solely on their energy, saturated fat, sodium and sugar content, and ignores positive health attributes in fats and oils from natural extraction processes such as antioxidants and other well documented nutritional characteristics. Of particular concern is that the HSR system ignores well documented negative health such as trans-fat, that result when oils are subjected to a refining and hydrogenation process. 26-Aug-14 Rejected: application is deemed not an anomaly as it is outside the defined scope of the HSR system. The HSR system assesses foods based on the macro nutrients saturated fat, energy, total sugar, sodium [salt], protein, fibre and FVNL. Other nutrients or processing methods outside of the scope of the HSR system may be promoted to consumers using other means, such as Standard 1.2.7 of the Australia and New Zealand Food Standards Code – Nutrition, Health and Related Claims (Standard 1.2.7) if this applies. No further action. 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.
2014-6 13-Oct-14 The HSR Calculator rates some “core” dairy foods at the lower end of the rating scale. In contrast some nutrient poor, energy dense “discretionary” foods: cakes, biscuits, chips, jelly, and icy poles are scoring 3 to 5 stars. This is contrary to the ADG and misleads consumers as to the healthiness of foods when comparing between foods particularly between “core” dairy foods and “discretionary” foods. 31-Oct-14 Rejected: application is deemed not an anomaly. The HSR Calculator has been technically developed to rate the nutritional quality of the product within their product categories. The categories have been developed in order to support the recommendations of the ADG. Discretionary foods are allowed as part of the ADG, and as the HSR system does not promote volumes or food consumption frequency this issue is not deemed to contradict the ADG. 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 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.
2015-5 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 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 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. 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
2016-1 2-Feb-16 The HSR Calculator does not reflect the true health nature of beverages that are ‘fortified waters’ (i.e. water with vitamins, minerals, flavours added). N/A Rejected: application is deemed not an anomaly. The HSRAC has considered the treatment of beverages and in particular ‘flavoured or fortified’ waters on several occasions and has determined that it is satisfied that these products: do not present an anomaly; and are receiving appropriate ratings under the HSR system. Whilst water is essential for life, beverages such as these are not and it is not seen as necessary to portray them any differently or more favourably than any other beverage product. No further action. 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.