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Updated 26 April 2026

Mandatory health star ratings: what changes for shoppers

What Health Star Ratings measure, why NOVA classification matters, how to read the labels, and what limitations you should know about.

In February 2026, the Australian government announced plans to make Health Star Ratings mandatory on all packaged foods. Health Star Ratings use a 0.5 to 5-star scale to summarise nutritional quality at a glance. Pinch tracks real grocery prices at Coles, Woolworths, ALDI, and Harris Farm across 52 weeks and 74,000+ products, so you can combine price information with nutritional ratings to make informed choices.

What is the Health Star Rating (HSR)?

The Health Star Rating is a front-of-pack label that uses stars to indicate nutritional quality. It uses a simple 0.5 to 5-star scale:

5 stars: Healthiest choice in that category
4 stars: Good nutritional choice
3 stars: Middle ground
2 stars: Less healthy choice
1 or 0.5 stars: Least healthy choice in that category

Currently, Health Star Ratings are voluntary. Companies can choose to display them or not. The announcement in February 2026 signals that the government is moving toward mandatory labelling, likely to be implemented over 2-3 years.

What does the rating actually measure?

Health Star Ratings are calculated using a government algorithm that weighs nutritional content. The algorithm awards points based on positive nutrients (fibre, protein, calcium, iron, fruits and vegetables per 100g) and deducts points for negative nutrients (saturated fat, sodium, added sugar).

The algorithm is food-category specific. A 3-star breakfast cereal is competing against other cereals, not against yoghurt or bread. This means:

A high-fibre bran cereal with no added sugar might be 4.5 stars
A chocolate cereal with added sugar might be 1 or 1.5 stars
But both are rated within the cereal category

You cannot directly compare a 4-star cereal with a 4-star bread. The stars mean different things across categories.

What HSR does not measure

Health Star Ratings have known limitations that matter for real-world shopping:

Ultra-processing is invisible

A heavily processed food with added colours, emulsifiers, and synthetic flavourings can score 3.5 or 4 stars if it is low in sugar, saturated fat, and sodium. HSR focuses on nutrient content, not ingredient quality or level of processing.

Portion sizes matter, and HSR hides them

The rating is calculated per 100g or per serving. A food that is nutritious in small portions but commonly eaten in large portions can get a deceptively high rating. For example, many breakfast cereals are rated per 30g serving, but most people eat 50-70g.

Nuts and whole foods are penalised

Whole nuts score low on HSR because they are high in fat. A handful of almonds might be 1 or 2 stars despite being nutrient-dense and associated with health benefits. Olive oil scores low despite its health profile.

Sodium concerns are not captured

The algorithm counts sodium in bread, which is unavoidable in commercial bread making. This means low-sodium whole grains sometimes score lower than higher-sodium cereals that are otherwise nutritious.

NOVA classification and why it matters

To address HSR limitations, there is growing discussion in Australia (and food policy globally) about adding NOVA classification to labels. NOVA categorises foods by processing level:

Group 1: Minimally processed (fruit, vegetables, meat, nuts, oils)
Group 2: Processed (canned vegetables, bread, cheese)
Group 3: Ultra-processed (breakfast cereals, soft drinks, instant noodles, packaged snacks)

NOVA is not about nutrients; it is about food form and industrial processing. A food can be nutritious by HSR measures and still be ultra-processed.

Combined, HSR and NOVA give you more complete information: How does this food rate nutritionally (HSR) and How processed is it (NOVA)?

How to use HSR while reading the fine print

Health Star Ratings are useful as a first filter, but they are not perfect. Use them this way:

Step 1: Use HSR as a rough guide within categories

When comparing two breakfast cereals, yoghurts, or breads, the one with higher stars is usually a reasonable choice. But do not assume a 5-star cereal is perfect; check the ingredient list for added sugars anyway.

Step 2: Always read the ingredient list

If the ingredient list is long and contains colours, synthetic flavourings, or multiple forms of added sugar, the product is ultra-processed regardless of HSR. This matters for families concerned about additives or chemical sensitivities.

Step 3: Check portion size

Look at the serving size that HSR is calculated on. If it is 30g but you typically eat 60g, mentally halve the positive nutrients and double the negative nutrients in your head. Or calculate per 100g if the label provides that information.

Step 4: Use price information alongside HSR

A 4-star whole grain bread at $3.50 is a good choice. A 4-star ultra-processed cereal bar at $2 is also rated well but contains more additives. You should know the difference to make intentional choices, especially if budget is tight.

Mandatory HSR timeline and what to expect

The announcement in February 2026 signals intent. Implementation will likely follow this timeline:

2026: Industry consultation and finalisation of regulations
2027-2028: Phase-in period. Companies get time to design and print new labels
2029 onwards: All packaged foods required to display HSR

During the phase-in period, you will see a mix of products with and without stars on the shelf. Products with HSR are already available at most major supermarkets (check Coles, Woolworths, and ALDI websites for filter options).

Impact on supermarket shopping

When HSR becomes mandatory, you can expect:

Easier comparison within categories (cereal to cereal, bread to bread)
Food companies may reformulate to improve ratings, reducing salt or sugar in some products
Some ultra-processed products will display low ratings, making them harder to justify to families
Continued confusion about what stars mean across different food types

Mandatory HSR will make it easier to shop, but it will not solve the fundamental cost gap between whole foods and ultra-processed foods. Price will still drive purchasing decisions for families on tight budgets.

The debate: HSR versus NOVA versus front-of-pack warns

Public health advocates have proposed different labelling systems:

Health Star Ratings (positive framing, shows nutritional strengths)
NOVA classification (shows processing level, addresses additives)
Front-of-pack warnings (negative framing, highlights sodium, sugar, saturated fat)

Australia is moving toward HSR. Some countries (Chile, Uruguay) use front-of-pack warnings instead. The evidence suggests that warnings are more effective at changing behaviour, but they are perceived as more negative by industry.

There is advocacy for adding NOVA to labels alongside HSR. This would address the limitation that ultra-processed foods can score well nutritionally while containing extensive additives.

Using HSR combined with other tools

Do not rely on HSR alone. Combine it with:

Ingredient list reading (search for long lists, additives, added sugars)
Price tracking (use Pinch to see if whole food alternatives are on sale)
Unit pricing (ensure you are comparing fair portions)
Your own priorities (if you avoid additives or prioritise organic, HSR cannot capture that)

HSR makes shopping easier by reducing information overload. But it is one tool among several, not a replacement for engagement with what you are buying.

Track prices alongside ratings

Pinch shows 52 weeks of price history on 74,000+ products. Combined with HSR, you can find the healthiest choice at the lowest price at your local store.

Download Pinch (free on iOS, Android coming soon). No ads. No data selling.

Sources

Australian Government Department of Health. Health Star Rating System
Monteiro, C. A., et al. (2016). NOVA food classification system and ultra-processed foods
Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ). Labelling Requirements Review