In 2014, the Government approved a voluntary Health Star Rating System for food manufacturers and companies to use on their products. The Health Star Rating System ranges from ½ a star to 5 stars, and was designed to help consumers make healthier choices. Recent news media has outlined some issues with this star rating system, but the big problem comes in the form of food manufacturers and companies calculating the star rating on their own food products. 

Their motto is literally the more stars the healthier the choice.
 
This self-regulation poses a big problem in accuracy and accountability, is misleading, and creates confusion for consumers. 

The Sipahh straws pictured in the video above actually PROMOTE that they 'only' contain half a teaspoon of sugar per straw. They receive a 4.5 star rating from the Government approved Health Star Rating System.

The ingredients are sugar, gluten free starch from tapioca, cocoa powder, bulking agent, buling agent (maltodextrin), flavour, sweetener (sucralose). How on EARTH does this deserve 4.5 stars??!! The first ingredient sugar and there is no nutritional value or benefit in sugar filled straws!!

Let's look at another example such as Up & Go, which also has 4.5 stars. The ingredients are Filtered Water, Skim Milk Powder Maltodextrin (Wheat, Corn) Cane Sugar, Vegetable Fibre, Soy Protein, Vegetable Oils (Sunflower, Canola), Fructose, Oat Flour, Flavour, Acidity Regulator (332), Mineral (Calcium), Vegetable Gums (460, 466, 407), Stabiliser (452), Vitamins (C, Niacin, Al B12, B6, B2, B1, Folate), Salt.

Up & Go is PACKED with sugar, inflammatory vegetable/seed oils, numbers and chemicals. FAR from a health food, yet most consumers would trust the packaging and the GOVERNMENT APPROVED health star rating. This is not ok.

Further to this, the calculation should be based on current food science and knowledge. Unfortunately the criteria does not establish how 'healthy' a food like product really is. 

There are many studies that are now showing that saturated fat and cholesterol should no longer be feared and are actually an excellent, protective and necessary part of the diet to support cellular health, brain function, sexual and reproductive function, the immune system and many other important physiological functions in the body (when used sensibly and as part of balanced overall food intake).

Some studies to note

Just ONE of these studies was published in the Medical Journal of Clinical Nutrition and involved a 5–23 year of follow-up of 347,747 subjects.

The meta-analysis of prospective epidemiologic studies showed that there is no significant evidence for concluding that dietary saturated fat is associated with an increased risk of CHD or CVD. More data are needed to elucidate whether CVD risks are likely to be influenced by the specific nutrients used to REPLACE saturated fat.

http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/91/3/535

http://christinecronau.com/studies/

The Health Star Rating system is EXTREMELY corrupt.

Food Industry actually sit on the advisory panel.

If you agree that food manufacturers and companies should no longer have the power to self-regulate this health rating calculation, sign this petition!

Why don't the Government invest in supporting local farmers, subsiding and educating and promoting fresh vegetables, fruit and well looked after, 100% grass fed animal products. Why are they still promoting vegetable/seed oils when the science is clear, they are inflammatory. Why isn't the focus on farmers markets and WHOLE, REAL FOODS instead of lining the pockets of the processed food industry and destroying the health of our nation? Why don't we have low cost cooking classes and educational seminars? Community gardens and chook pens in every neighbourhood for fresh eggs?

Food CAN be cheap and accessible. Every person, family and child, deserves fresh, quality food and deserve to know what they are feeding themselves and their kids. Stop green washing the packaged processed products and start having an honest, transparent and open relationship with the food system.

Please sign and share this petition widely.

To follow along with everything we are doing follow us on facebook at www.facebook.com/getafreshstart and instagram @jessie_reimers and join our facebook group to get involved The Health Star Disruptors