Despite efforts from both Griffith and Leeton councils, as well as support of Citrus Australia, and the federal agriculture minister David Littleproud, a ministerial forum elected remove the five star rating.

Under the revised system, as it stands, diet cola would receive four-stars, while 100 per cent fresh juice with no added sugar, preservatives or additions would receive two-and-a-half stars.

"The Food Standards Australia and New Zealand (FSANZ) have imposed the illogical regulation that will potentially see fruit juice end up having the same or lower star rating as diet cola," Mr Littleproud said.

"Looking at the results of the Forum's November 2019 decision health star rating decision, I put in a proposal to get it reconsidered.

"It seemed obvious to me that that 100% fresh fruit and vegetable juice with no added sugar should have a 5 star rating.

"It didn't pass the pub test then and doesn't pass the pub test now."

Previously, fresh juice has held a five-star rating since the system was implemented in 2014.

Griffith Citrus Growers Association secretary Vito Mancini said the best thing the community could do if they wanted to support the industry was to buy oranges.

He hoped the community wouldn't play into the health rating or question the benefits of orange juice.

"We're definitely in contact with our member of parliament about this and trying to make us much representation on this as possible," Mr Mancini said.

"The basis of this decision is trying to show water is the best choice out of all.

"We agree, but when it comes to these other products and trying to pull them all together, that's where the problem begins and more confusion is created among consumers."

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Leeton's Frank Mercuri is the chairman of Pacific Fresh and he too was flummoxed at the decision.

"You'd think fresh orange juice would have to be better than buying something like diet coke or zero coke ... it's definitely got to be healthier," he said.

"But because it's got natural sugar in it, that's what they focus on.

"Who would rather drink diet coke instead of a glass of orange juice at breakfast in the morning ... I would hope people use their commonsense when shopping and they continue to buy orange juice."

Mr Mercuri said it was just another issue growers and producers would now have to deal with, but he held out hope the decision could be overturned.

"Other than that (the health star rating), the industry is going not too bad at the moment, which is good news," he said.