Look for the health star rating in-store.Â
The more stars, the healthier.Â
Did you know? All fresh fruit and vegetables are 5 stars!
What is the Health Star Rating system?Â
The Health Star Rating system is a labelling system that rates the nutritional profile of packaged foods and gives it a rating from Â― to 5 stars. It provides a quick, easy, standard way to compare similar packaged foods. The more stars, the healthier.
How to use the Health Star Rating system?
The Health Star Rating system can provide a quick, easy, standard way to compare packaged foods.Â
Health Star Ratings can be used to compare foods within similar product categories. For example, comparing two types of yoghurt, rather than comparing a yoghurt with a breakfast cereal. Â
Generally speaking, a product with 3 Â― or more stars is classed as healthier.
How are Health Star Ratings calculated?Â
The Health Star Rating system uses a calculator weighing positive and risk nutrients in food. Stars are added for fruit and vegetables, calcium, and protein content. Stars are removed for sodium (salt), saturated fat and sugar content.
Ratings are based on:
- Total energy (kilojoules)
- Saturated fat, sodium (salt) and sugar content
- Fibre, protein, fruit, vegetable, nut and legume content.
Canât find the stars? Download the Foodswitch app
The Foodswitch app is like having a dietitian whispering in your ear.Â
If you find a product without a Health Star Rating, you can scan it on the Foodswitch app on your mobile device. The app gives you the Health Star Rating of the product and suggests products with a higher rating.Â
Download the Foodwitch app here:
  
Healthy eating – What else to keep in mind?
When it comes to healthy eating, fresh is best. Itâs important to eat a wide variety of foods from the core food groups (see Australian Guide to Healthy Eating) and included plenty of fruits and vegetables.
Many of these fresh healthy foods are not packaged and therefore do not carry a Health Star Rating.
The Health Star Rating system is currently voluntary, meaning food companies do not have to display the rating.
The Health Star Rating provides nutritional information at-a-glance. For more information check the nutrition information panel and ingredients list.
Guide to label reading
Resources
Label reading – salt
Label reading â sugar
*Reach for the Stars is a Latrobe Health Innovation Zone initiative with funding provided by Latrobe Health Assembly and the Victorian Government.
