Today's decision by the ANZ Ministerial Forum on Food Regulation to slash the rating for pure, fresh Australian fruit and vegetable juices has failed Australian growers.
National Farmers' Federation (NFF) Chief Executive Tony Mahar described the decision to apply lower Health Star Ratings to fresh juices than those given to chemical-laden diet soft-drinks as baffling.
"Today's decision makes a mockery of Australia's Health Star Rating system, and sadly both consumers and fruit and vegetable growers will suffer as a result," Mr Mahar said.
"The states and territories that supported this outcome should be ashamed.
"The nutritional benefits of things like Vitamin C, Thiamin and Folate found in fresh fruit & veg do not change when they're squeezed into juice. You can't just ignore the full suite of nutritional benefits. It's absurd.
"We will continue to work closely with our members and federal and state governments to try and restore some credibility to the Health Star Rating scheme," Mr Mahar concluded.
