Modifying the Health Star Rating nutrient profiling algorithm to account for ultra-processing.

ABSTRACT:

Aim

To modify the Australian and New Zealand Health Star Rating to account for ultra-processing and compare the alignment of the modified ratings with NOVA classifications and the current Australian Dietary Guidelines classifications of core (recommended foods) and discretionary (foods to limit).

Methods

Data was cross-sectionally analysed for 25 486 products. Four approaches were compared to the original Health Star Rating: (1) five 'negative' points added to ultra-processed products (modification 1; inclusion approach); (2) ultra-processed products restricted to a maximum of 3.0 Health Stars (modification 2; capping approach); (3 and 4) same approach used for modifications 1 and 2 but only applied to products that already exceeded 10 'negative' points from existing Health

SUBMITTER: Barrett EM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11795220 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature