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Legislative Council - Fifty-Fourth Parliament, Second Session (54-2)
2020-07-22 Daily Xml
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Food Labelling

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI (15:39): I rise today to speak about food labelling, particularly health star ratings on fruit juice. South Australia is home to fantastic food producing regions. Our growers are diverse, whether it be citrus, stone fruit and almonds in the Riverland; grains on Yorke and Eyre peninsulas; potatoes and onions on the Limestone Coast and Mallee; apples, pears and cherries in the Adelaide Hills; or the greenhouses growing tomatoes and other produce on the Adelaide Plains.

It is clear that South Australia is home to high-quality healthy produce. Each of these regions around the state drives our economy, generates employment and, importantly, contributes to a healthy diet. Along with the diverse food production industry in this state, we also have strong food labelling requirements nationwide. Food products on the shelves of supermarkets and in stores in Australia contain labels identifying the product's country of origin and nutrition contents.

I support such labels as they assist South Australians to purchase Australian products and make healthy dietary decisions. Ultimately, these food labels support consumers and Australian producers. Other food labelling schemes are voluntary, such as the Health Star Rating system, which has existed since 2014 and now appears on the front of 40 per cent of eligible products.

The Health Star Rating system was developed through a collaborative process involving government, industry, public health and consumer organisations. It has been jointly funded by the Australian, state and territory governments. A product's rating between half a star and five stars is calculated by an algorithm that was developed in consultation with Food Standards Australia New Zealand and other technical and nutrition experts.

The voluntary scheme is designed to inform consumers, encouraging healthy decisions and helps reduce instances of obesity. By and large, the voluntary Health Star Rating label is beneficial for the community. Fruit juice companies are one of the estimated 16,000 products to use the Health Star Rating system on their packaging. As it stands, fresh juice is rated as five star; however, a recent decision by the Australian and New Zealand Ministerial Forum on Food Regulation will see Australian juices' Health Star Rating slashed in half.

The new 2.5 star rating applies to fresh juice containing 100 per cent Australian fruit with no added sugar, placing the product on the same level as diet soft drink. The federal Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management, the Hon. David Littleproud, has signalled his disappointment on the decision. He has also acknowledged the South Australian and New South Wales governments for the recent support in moving an amendment, recognising the absurdity of the situation, to rate at four stars as a compromise.

Unfortunately, this was rejected by the other states, territories and New Zealand. The juicing industry has seen a 30 per cent decline over the previous two decades due to poor prices, and this health star re-evaluation is yet another negative outcome for South Australian growers. Companies affected by this decision include iconic South Australian juice brands, such as Nippy's, that produce a range of products using South Australian produce.

The Nippy's facility in Moorook is an example of what our regions are capable of and highlights how increased regional manufacturing can occur in the future. The potential detriment caused by the re-evaluation of the Health Star Rating of fresh juice goes beyond just the affected fruit growers and related businesses. Although I do not claim to be a dietician, I believe there is a distinction between the nutritious content of 100 per cent fruit juice and a diet soft drink.

I fear that the new rating will positively affect the perception of diet soft drink while dramatically damaging 100 per cent fruit juice. I do not seek to promote the health benefit of fruit juice with added sugar but instead draw a distinction between it, diet soft drink and 100 per cent fruit juice containing all natural ingredients. Decisions such as these, including all decisions made in government and in this place, have real effects on everyday lives.

Unfortunately, the decision to change the Health Star Rating for fresh juice is an example of how overzealous bureaucracy will affect day-to-day lives. It will result in trees being pulled out of the ground, manufacturing jobs being lost, affected regions and a misconception in this nation that diet soft drink is akin to 100 per cent fresh fruit juice.

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