The Health Star Rating (HSR) Advisory Committee (HSRAC), responsible for overseeing the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the HSR system, is undertaking a formal five year review of the HSR system. The five year review will consider if, and how well, the objectives of the HSR system have been met, and identify options for improvements and ongoing implementation of the system. The findings of the review will be provided to the Australia and New Zealand Ministerial Forum on Food Regulation in mid-2019.

As part of the five year review, the HSRAC is seeking evidence based submissions on the merits of the HSR system. Submissions can be made on the Australian Department of Health’s Consultation Hub. The consultation period will remain open for six weeks, closing at 11:59 pm 20 July 2017.

In parallel with this consultation on the HSR system five year review, the HSRAC is conducting a dedicated investigation of issues and concerns raised about the form of the food (‘as prepared’) rules in the Guide for Industry to the HSR Calculator. These enable additional nutrients to be taken into account when calculating star ratings based on foods prepared according to on-label directions. A specific consultation process seeking input into this investigation opened on 19 May 2017 and will close at 11.59 pm 30 June 2017. The form of the food (‘as prepared’) consultation can be viewed on the Australian Department of Health’s Consultation Hub.