On 20 November 2015, the Australia and New Zealand Ministerial Forum on Food Regulation agreed that the work of the Front-of-Pack Labelling Steering Committee be absorbed into the Food Regulation Standing Committee (FRSC). For further information about the FRSC, see the Food Regulation website.
The Steering Committee consisted of senior representatives from the Australian, state and territory governments, New Zealand government and a representative from the Australian Health Ministers' Advisory Council. The Steering Committee was responsible for leading the process for developing the system with industry, public health and consumer groups, through a Project Committee, and reported to the Australia and New Zealand Ministerial Forum on Food Regulation.
Formal Operating Procedures
The Steering Committee conducted its business in line with the Food Regulation Standing Committee Operating Procedures which are embedded in the Australia and New Zealand Ministerial Forum on Food Regulation Formal Operating Procedures.
Meetings
24 September 2015
21 November 2014
2 May 2014
Information about Steering Committee meetings which occurred during the development of the Health Star Rating system is available on the Food Regulation website.
Steering Committee Meeting - 24 September 2015
Steering Committee Members noted an update from the Chair of the Health Star Rating (HSR) Advisory Committee on progress in implementing the HSR system and noted an update on the progress in implementing the HSR system in New Zealand. The Chair of the Social Marketing Advisory Group provided an update on phase 2 of the social marketing campaign, which supports the implementation of the HSR system.
The Steering Committee noted the decision taken by the Australia and New Zealand Ministerial Forum on Food Regulation (Forum) at its 3 July 2015 meeting to classify nut- and seed-based beverages as Category 1D products in the HSR system, provided that they meet the calcium requirements for that category. Members also noted that the Forum agreed to seek further consideration by the Food Regulation Standing Committee on how dairy alternative beverages should be categorised within the HSR system, and how they should be treated under the relevant food standard.
Members discussed future funding to support the ongoing implementation of the HSR system, and agreed to refer this for further consideration by the Australian Health Ministers' Advisory Council at its next meeting.
Members were advised that as at 30 June 2015, at least 37 companies have either adopted the HSR system, or publicly announced their intention to adopt the system, and that there were over 1000 products displaying the HSR system graphic on shelf. These numbers are understood to have increased since then. Monitoring and evaluation of the HSR system has been contracted to the National Heart Foundation.Top of page
Steering Committee Meeting - 21 November 2014
Steering Committee Members noted updates from: the Chair of the Health Star Rating (HSR) Advisory Committee on progress in implementing the HSR system; and the Chair of the Social Marketing Advisory Group on the development of the social marketing campaign to support implementation of the HSR system.
The Steering Committee noted the decision taken by the Australia and New Zealand Ministerial Forum on Food Regulation at its 27 June 2014 meeting to extend the implementation timeframe for the HSR system to five years, commencing 27 June 2014, with a review of progress after two years.
The Steering Committee noted an update on the progress in implementing the HSR system in New Zealand.
Members were advised that 11 companies have either adopted the HSR system, or publicly announced their intention to adopt the system, and that there are approximately 100 products displaying the HSR system graphic on shelf.
Products which currently display the HSR system graphic include cereals, muesli bars, ultra high temperature processed mils, salads, cooked rice, canned tomatoes, ready meals, cheese, meat pies, peanut butter and chicken wings.
Steering Committee Meeting - 2 May 2014
Steering Committee Members considered advice from the Health Star Rating (HSR) Advisory Committee and agreed on the definition of an anomaly, and process for addressing potential anomalies within the HSR Calculator, for consideration by the Legislative and Governance Forum on Food Regulation at its meeting in June 2014. The Steering Committee also noted the final stages of design artwork, which has been well received by stakeholders, and is currently subject to consumer testing.
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