Mandating health star ratings is a win. But food lobbies still have too much power over our health
The Guardian World
by Melissa Davey Medical editorFebruary 15, 2026
Our food environment has been built to put profit over health — Australians can’t overcome that without stronger regulation and accountability
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Almost 13 years ago – and after a decade-long battle between health experts and the food industry – state and federal ministers voted to introduce a health star rating system to help consumers make healthier food choices.
It was voluntary, thanks to the food industry being at the bargaining table and the decision-makers being largely food, trade and agriculture ministers (rather than health).
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Originally published on The Guardian World on 2/15/2026