28 February 2018 - Nestléhas decided to remove the Health Star Rating (HSR) from Milo powder inAustralia and New Zealand pending the outcome of the government review of theHSR system.
The company remainscommitted to the HSR system, with the HSR currently appearing on more than 300 Nestlépacks in Australia and 180 in New Zealand.
The move affects only Milopowder, while other Milo brandedproducts including Milo ready-todrink UHT will retain the HSR.
Nestlé spokespersonMargaret Stuart said that this decision in no way reduces Nestlé’s commitmentto the HSR system as a whole.
"It’s encouraging tosee a growing body of evidence showing that the HSR is delivering on its keyobjectives. Crucially, it’s guiding shoppers who are comparing packaged foodswithin a category in store, and encouraging packaged food manufacturers toimprove the nutritional content of their products, resulting in broaderimprovements across the food industry."
Misunderstanding aboutthe way the HSR is been calculated on Milopowder has been used to question the system.
Nestlé has decidedthat withdrawing the HSR from Milo powderpending the outcome of the government review of the system will help to avoidconfusion among consumers and reduce the risk of damage to a system the companysupports.
"The system, which wasdeveloped with the input of many stakeholders, is fundamentally sound, scientificallyrobust and compares well with front of pack labelling systems in othercountries," Ms Stuart said.
Nestlé has alsodecided not to extend the HSR to any other products prepared with milk, duringthe review period.
In 2014, Nestlé wasamong the first companies to commit to the HSR system, rolling out consumereducation on the HSR and applying it to packs later that year.
The Health Star Rating of 4.5 stars for Milo powder is in linewith:
· the food regulation governing Milo as a FormulatedSupplementary Food,
· the requirements of the Health Star Rating System,
· the Australian Dietary Guidelines and New Zealand Eating andActivity Guidelines which advocate lower fat milk for people over the age oftwo; and
· Nestlé’s desire to encourage our products to be consumed in the healthiestway possible.
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