The Australian Medical Association welcomes today’s decision by food regulation ministers to move towards mandatory health star ratings on packaged foods, a long overdue reform that will help Australians make healthier choices at the supermarket.
AMA President Dr Danielle McMullen said the move was an important step forward off the back of strong public health and consumer group advocacy, following years of inadequate voluntary uptake by the food industry.
“Making health star ratings mandatory is a win for consumers and a clear acknowledgment that voluntary approaches have failed,” Dr McMullen said.
“Clear, consistent labelling empowers people to make informed choices about what they are eating, and that matters when rates of overweight and obesity continue to climb across Australia.”
Rates of obesity have been rising for more than 25 years and, without decisive action, will continue to increase. Obesity is a major risk factor for chronic conditions including type 2 diabetes, heart disease and some cancers, placing growing pressure on Australia’s health system.
Dr McMullen said while mandatory health star ratings were welcome, they must be part of a broader, coordinated strategy to improve Australia’s food environment, including greater investment in preventive health.
“This is a positive first step, but it cannot be the last. Labelling alone will not solve Australia’s obesity crisis. We need a comprehensive prevention agenda that addresses the over‑consumption of unhealthy food and drinks, particularly those high in added sugar,” Dr McMullen said.
Through its Sickly Sweet campaign, the AMA has long warned that Australia lags behind comparable countries when it comes to effective preventive measures targeting high sugar.
Australians consume more than 2.2 billion litres of sugary drinks each year. These products contain large amounts of free sugar, offer little to no nutritional value, and are a significant contributor to rising rates of chronic disease.
The AMA continues to advocate for the introduction of a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages, a measure supported by strong public backing and international evidence.
“A tax on sugary drinks is one of the most effective tools governments can use to reduce consumption and improve health outcomes,” Dr McMullen said.
“Importantly, Australians support this reform, particularly when revenue is directed into obesity prevention and health promotion initiatives.”
A nationally representative survey conducted in 2017 found 60 per cent of Australians supported a tax on sugary drinks. This increased to 77 per cent if the proceeds were used to fund obesity prevention.
