Is the Health Star Rating What You Think?

October 11, 2025

If you’ve ever grabbed a product from the supermarket shelf because it had 4 or 5 shiny stars on the front, you’re not alone. The Health Star Rating (HSR) is designed to help Australians make “healthier” food choices at a glance.

But here’s the catch: it doesn’t always tell the full story.

In fact, the system can be misleading, especially if you don’t know how it actually works. Let’s unpack what those stars really mean, and why you shouldn’t rely on them alone to guide your food choices.

What Does the Health Star Rating Actually Measure?

The HSR system scores packaged foods from ½ a star to 5 stars, based on their nutrient profile.

It’s calculated using an algorithm that weighs up:

Negative points for energy (kJ), saturated fat, sugars, and sodium
Positive points for fibre, protein, and fruit/vegetable/nut/legume content

So far, so good. Right?
Not quite.

Each food is only compared within its own category, meaning a cereal is ranked against other cereals, and a yoghurt against other yoghurts.
That means a 5-star muesli bar and a 5-star yoghurt are not equivalent in nutrition or health impact, they’re just the best of their respective group.

A 5-Star Yoghurt Isn’t the Same as a 5-Star Lolly

Here’s one of the biggest flaws in the HSR system:
It doesn’t compare all foods on one scale.

That means:

A 4-star cereal could still be high in refined carbs and added sugars.
A 2-star cheese might still be a valuable source of protein and calcium.
A sugar-free lolly could score more stars than a milk-based drink, even though it offers almost no nutritional value.

The intention was to help consumers make “healthier” choices within a product category, but in practice, it can create a false sense of confidence when comparing across different types of foods.

A 5-Star Snack Can Still Be High-Calorie

Another blind spot in the Health Star Rating is that it doesn’t consider total calories or portion size.

A product can earn high stars for being low in sugar or salt, but still pack a hefty calorie punch.

For example:

A 5-star muesli bar can still contain 900–1000 kJ.
A 4.5-star smoothie might have more calories than a can of soft drink.
A 5-star nut mix may be full of healthy fats, but also easy to overconsume.

So, while something might look like a healthier choice, it can still lead to weight gain if your energy intake exceeds your needs.

Not All Products Show Their Rating

Here’s something most people don’t realise:
The Health Star Rating system is completely voluntary.

Food companies can choose whether or not to display it.
And unsurprisingly, they usually only do so when the score makes them look good.

That means you might see plenty of 4- and 5-star products, but many low-rated foods simply don’t show their rating at all.
This selective use creates a false sense of trust; you’re only seeing part of the picture.

Even within the same brand:

One product might proudly show its 4.5 stars.
Another might skip it altogether.

How to Make Better Choices

The Health Star Rating can be a rough guide, but it’s far from the full story.

If you want to make genuinely smarter food choices:

Read the Nutrition Information Panel; compare per 100g for a fair view.
Check added sugars and sodium, not just total values.
Focus on whole foods like fruit, vegetables, grains, dairy, and lean proteins; these don’t need stars to prove their value.
Be calorie-aware; even “healthy” snacks can add up quickly.
Use the stars as a tiebreaker, not the deciding factor.