Fruit juice could get lower health rating than diet coke

Victorian fruit growers have blasted a new sugar rating system shake-up that will see juice demoted down alongside soft drinks.

Fruit juice could soon have the same health rating as soft drink. Picture: Richard Walker

Victorian citrus growers fear they will go out of business because a looming health rating shake-up could bring sugar-free fruit juice in line with some soft drinks.

A review of the system is proposing to scrap fresh juice’s five star rating to as low as two or three and a half stars, because juice contains naturally-occurring sugar.

Citrus Australia have urged the Victorian government to support local growers in an upcoming vote which could have a major impact on the state’s large fruit growing industry.

The Australia and New Zealand Ministerial Forum on Food Regulation, of which Victorian Health Minister Martin Foley and Agriculture Minister Mary-Anne Thomas are part of, will vote on the health rating on February 12.

A proposal by Senator David Littleproud to instead give fresh juice an automatic four-star rating was rejected at the forum’s November meeting.

Citrus Australia CEO Nathan Hancock called on Premier Daniel Andrews to direct his ministers and vote against the change, with citrus towns such as Mildura to suffer.

Fruit growers have blasted the move to have juice rated the same as some soft drinks. Picture: Richard Walker

“Unless these two states (Victoria and Queensland) show leadership, fresh Australian juice will likely receive less stars than diet cola, based on a flawed system that assesses fresh juice on sugar content alone and does not recognise its health benefits,” he said.

“Fruit juice currently contributes $736 million to the Australian economy.

“We fear any decline in sales under this false premise would also hasten the demise of the Australian orange juice industry, which has already seen a 30 per cent decrease in the production base over the last 18 years.”

Cathy Cook, from Beverages Australia told the Sunday Herald Sun, the change sent a confusing message to consumers and could close the doors of local businesses.

“Consumers are going to get confused and they will stop buying it and when they stop buying it the juice processors won’t need to as much of it and the hurt is passed on to the growers,” she said.

Nutritionist and dietitian Rachael Bradford says in theory the health star rating was

to help consumers compare the nutritional profile of similar packaged foods to help to make a healthier choice.

“Health star ratings only takes into account certain nutrients, for example protein and fibre, and energy, fats, sugar and salt,” she said.

“It does not differentiate added sugars versus natural sugars that are in foods.

“Water is the preferred beverage for Australians, followed by unflavoured

milk or a calcium rich plant beverage.

“If people wish to drink fruit juice, enjoy a small glass (125ml) of 100 per cent fruit juice.”

Dad Rigo Molina agreed.

“Everything should be in moderation. I think a bit of juice is okay, especially for very active kids but we use it as a treat,” he said.