Australia to adopt star-based food labels system

This blog has often reported on various issues that consumers and organizations have brought up about food labels. For example, in this past election, California residents voted down a proposition that would require that genetically modified foods sold in the state to be labeled as such. While that may have been a striking moment in the food labeling market, it’s certainly not the end.

According to Lateline, the Public Health Association of Australia is adopting a policy where a food product will be given a custom label based on its nutritional value to consumers. While many countries have implemented a stop-light system for this – with green meaning healthiest and red meaning unhealthy – Australia is choosing a star system.

The more stars a product has on its food label, the healthier it is for consumers.

“The message will be very, very simple and straightforward. If you like, a five-star system it’s very good for you,” Michael Moore, from the Public Health Association of Australia, told the source. “Something that only has half a star, well sure, you’ll eat it occasionally, but it’s not a food you would choose for its nutritional value.”

For local grocers or retailers that produce their own brand of food products, adopting food label practices such as this, or the previously reported on stop-light system, can help separate the business from competitors. In addition, it may also increase customer loyalty as consumers could use the company’s rating system as a benchmark for healthy diet choices.

By investing in a Primera LX900 color label printer, companies can create high-quality labels needed to ensure consumers are attracted to the product from across the aisle.