Diabetes Tasmania applauds star rating adoption

Diabetes Tasmania has commended the national adoption of the star rating for front-of-packlabelling
of packaged food, approved by the intergovernmental forum on food policy.

The labelling will feature a star rating, from half a star up to five stars for the healthiest
products, mandated within two years for all packaged food if not widely adopted by food
companies.

Diabetes Tasmanian CEO Caroline Wells said the health star rating scheme provided a
clear, easy-to-interpret nutrition indicator based on the amount of sugars, saturated fats and
salt in packaged foods.

“For Tasmanians, this star rating is particularly critical because we know that 50% of
Tasmanian adults have inadequate literacy skills to cope with everyday needs and making
food choices is something that is done every day,” Ms Wells said.

“Poor nutrition and obesity are major risk factors for many chronic diseases and with
diabetes on track to be the leading burden of disease by 2017, helping people to make
healthy food choices is critical.

“It is minefield for people out there and this rating system will help to clear up what we know
is confusing for many people.”

Diabetes Tasmania runs free Healthy Shopping Tours which help people to understand and
interpret the existing nutrition information panels on food labels.

To book a tour call 1300 136 588.
Diabetes Tasmanian CEO Caroline Wells