The region's citrusgrowers have one more chance to escape a potential 2.5 Health Star Rating for fresh fruit juice in February 2021.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Australia and New Zealand Ministerial Forum on Food Regulation met on November 27, and while they did not change the proposed rating for fresh juice, a further review will see nutritional benefits considered.
All fruit juices - both fresh and reconstituted are set to receive a 2.5 Health Star Rating (HSR), on par with some diet soft drink varieties.
The Commonwealth health department will provide advice on adjusting the HSR calculator for fresh juice for the February meeting.
Griffith and District Citrus Growers secretary Vito Mancini said a lower Health Star Rating would hurt the MIA's growers and cause confusion among consumers.
Mr Mancini said it appeared the focus of the health star rating system was only on sugar, to the detriment of nutritional value of freshly squeezed juice.
"We're really questioning why it's called a health star rating when it's about sugar," he said.
"I believe it will hurt a large number of growers in the region who rely on a vibrant and dynamic juicing industry.
"It will ultimately see the loss of jobs and income for farmers."
Lion Dairy and Drinks operates the Daily Juice factory at Leeton, and suggested a number of changes to Health Start Rating's five year review.
"A key area highlighted within our response relates to the considerations of non-dairy beverages within the HSR calculator, which we believe do not align with Australian dietary guidelines or the system's ultimate goal of improving population health outcomes," a Lion Dairy and Drinks spokesman said.
"Lion Dairy and Drinks did not support either calculator option for the for the treatment of fruit juice beverages, due to five food group foods such as fruit juice (with no added sugar) and juice drinks (fruit juice and water with no added sugar or sweeteners) scoring lower than discretionary foods (diet soft drink).
"Lion Dairy and Drinks is committed to continuing to work with Government and the HSR Technical Advisory Board to help evolve the system in line with these considerations, and with the health of Australian consumers as our priority."
READ MORE