Australian First: Monster Health Food Co. introduces packaging with Health Star Rating
Announcement posted by Closer Communications 16 Apr 2014
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monster Health Food Co. introduces Australia’s first packaging with Health Star Ratings
Australian-made, family-owned breakfast food company takes lead in delivering transparency in food labelling to Australian consumers
Sydney, April 16, 2014: Monster Health Food Co. (MHFCo.), an Australian-made and family-owned breakfast food company, has today launched Australia’s first products to display a Health Star Rating on its packaging. The new front-of-pack labelled products will be on supermarket shelves from this week. The first two products introduced each have a Health Star Rating of 4 out of 5 stars.
The Health Star Rating system was developed by industry, consumer, and public health groups with support from government. The Health Star Rating gives an overall indication of a food’s nutritional quality and additional information that provides an overview of the key nutrients within the product – such as salt, fats, sugars and fibre – so consumers have an easy-to-reference guide. The higher the Health Star Rating, the better the nutritional balance.
In an increasingly time-poor society, the Health Star Rating provides an authoritative source on what’s included within a chosen product, enabling consumers to compare products like-for-like on a nutritional basis and make informed choices.
With a roll-out period beginning in July this year, and then a two-year voluntary period before the industry is seeking full implementation, MHFCo. is pressing ahead to demonstrate its strong support of the Health Star Rating system. They hope it inspires other companies to follow suit to ensure transparent, easy-to-understand food labelling for Australian consumers.
“We have been honest and transparent about our products for 21 years,” MHFCo. co-owner Trevor Lauman says. “The Health Star Rating is about delivering honesty and transparency to consumers about products, so we wholeheartedly support it.”
“We believe the system also comes at a time where consumers are more conscious about their food choices, and more sceptical of health claims such as ‘99% fat-free’,” Mr Lauman says. “The Health Star Rating will provide an honest snapshot of what is contained within each product.
“Today we draw a line in the sand for the Australian food industry. We hope companies big and small follow our lead. Consumers deserve to have the food they are eating classified in an easy-to-understand way.”
MHFCo. will include the Health Star Rating on the front of its Berry and Free & Lo Muesli, which will be available at Coles and Woolworths respectively, independent stockists and online at www.mhfco.com.au. The remaining products in the range will feature the Health Star Rating over the next 12 months.
For media enquiries please contact:
Melisa Woodgate
Closer Communications
E: melisa@closercommunications.com.au
M: +61 432 018 331
About Monster Health Food Co.
Monster Health Food Co. (MHFCo.) is a family-run, 100% Australian made and owned company dedicated to delivering healthy breakfast foods. MHFCo. has been providing Australians with breakfast mueslis for over twenty years and is focused on delivering high quality, nutritious breakfast options without compromising on taste. With 2000 store locations Australia-wide, the Monster Health Food Co. range is available from Woolworths, Coles, Harris Farm Markets, Amway, independents, and online at www.mhfco.com.au.