Healthy food rating website could be reinstated within weeks

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Ministers agree to support the star rating system pulled down by Fiona Nash’s chief of staff who had links to junk food companies

fiona nash
Assistant health minister Fiona Nash. Photograph: Alan Porritt/AAP

The food rating website pulled down after intervention from the assistant health minister’s office in controversial circumstances could be reinstated within weeks.

State and territory health ministers have agreed to support the health star rating system which will see food labelled for its nutritional value. The system also has a website featuring a calculator to rate the healthiness of different foods.

The website was launched in February but pulled down within hours after the office of assistant health minister, Fiona Nash, intervened. Nash’s chief of staff, Alastair Furnival, resigned his position after his links to junk food companies were revealed.

Junk food companies have lobbied heavily against the website and rating system, claiming it would be confusing for consumers. Guardian Australia understands there was no vote on whether to reinstate the website at the meeting, but instead the ministers agreed they would support the system after a discussion.

Michael Moore, chief executive of the Public Health Association of Australia (PHAA), said he expected the website to be up and running as early as next week now the forum had endorsed it and consumers could see food star ratings on products within three months.

Using the rating system on food packaging will be voluntary for the next five years and there will be a review of the system within two years.

“It is now over to industry. There is a clear opportunity for industry to assist in tackling the obesity epidemic. Consumers will appreciate the opportunity to have clear information [about] the nutritional content of the food that they purchase and consume. It is so straightforward, the more stars the healthier the food,” Moore said.

“It has been a difficult negotiation from the beginning with compromises on both sides.”

Nash chaired the forum but did not respond directly to questions about whether she had any concerns about the rating system. Her office instead sent through a general statement which included the line “Minister Nash welcomed New Zealand’s decision to join the health star rating system on a voluntary basis, and acknowledged the work and communication between the Australian and New Zealand Governments regarding the health star rating system”.

After the website was initially pulled in February, Nash said it was because it went up too quickly and was not ready. Questions were raised about Furnival’s links to junk food companies and it was revealed he still had a stake in the lobbying firm Australian Public Affairs (APA) owned by his wife, Tracey Cain.

APA has acted for Cadbury’s parent company, the snack food giant Mondelez, as well as the soft drink industry group the Australian Beverages Council.

Ministers at the forum agreed the Australian Health Ministers Advisory Council would host the rating calculator and style guide until the launch of the website which will happen after a public education campaign.

A reference group under the Front-of-Pack Oversight Committee will be tasked with communicating with small businesses to assist with the system.

Ministers at the forum also considered a report on warning labels on alcohol for pregnant women and agreed to keep it voluntary with a review in two years.