Fruit juice on par with soft drink in not-so-sweet health-star debacle

The citrus lobby is warning of massive risk to growers if fruit juice’s health-star rating is downgraded to that of soft drink.

A PLAN to downgrade fruit juice’s five-star health rating to that of soft drinks could be stopped at the last minute.

Federal Agriculture Minister David Littleproud has confirmed he will ask that a proposal to strip juice of its top rating on the basis of its sugar content be reconsidered, when the Australia and New Zealand Ministerial Forum on Food Regulation meets next month.

“I am concerned that the decision has resulted in a health star rating on juice that doesn’t pass the pub test,” Mr Littleproud told The Weekly Times.

One hundred per cent fruit juice has held a five-star rating since the health star system was introduced.

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But a review of the system last year recommended that it be downgraded to anywhere between 2½ stars — the same as diet soft drinks — and four.

The Dietitians’ Association of Australia advises on its website that juice should be limited to 125ml serves, and that “most types naturally contain a similar amount of sugar and kilojoules to soft drinks”.

Citrus Australia has been lobbying for juice to keep its rating, arguing a minimally processed, no added sugar product should not be compared to a manufactured product with no nutrit­ional benefits.

“We’re really concerned this is an incorrect message for someone trying to do the right thing and pick a healthy product,” Citrus Australia chief executive Nathan Hancock said.

Mr Hancock warned the change could harm growers, many of whom grew varieties specifically for juicing.

“If this continues to drive down consumption, that’s a major problem for our industry,” he said.

Mr Littleproud argued juice was a safe and nutritious product. He said it could provide many health benefits and should be judged on more than its sugar content.

“I intend to seek a reconsideration of this perverse outcome for consumers and our horticulture industry,” he said.

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