Abstract
Aotearoa New Zealand (NZ) has an opportunity to support making Health Star Rating symbols mandatory on packaged foods. In February 2026, the majority of Food Ministers across Australia and NZ voted to progress mandatory Health Star Rating labelling, and asked Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) to develop a proposed food standard.
The NZ Food Safety Minister voted against work to prepare this proposal, going against his position prior to a Cabinet meeting on the matter.
Health Star Ratings provide consumers with clear nutritional information at-a-glance and an incentive for food companies to make products healthier. Despite this, only 36% of eligible packaged products display Health Stars. Selective application to higher-scoring products indicates use mainly as a marketing tool.
FSANZ is now consulting on the proposal, giving a chance for people to submit in favour of making Health Stars mandatory.