Friday's decision by state and territory ministers infuriates fruit producers but aligns with a campaign against high-sugar products in family shopping trolleys.
AUSVEG
AUSVEG, Australia’s peak industry body for the vegetable and potato industries, has called on state governments to heed the calls of Australia’s fruit industries for common sense to prevail with the Health Star Rating system to ensure consumers have simple, clear information around the health of the products they buy.
Government Ministers will meet at the Australia and New Zealand Ministerial Forum on Food Regulation on Friday to vote on a proposal to change the Health Star Rating (HSR) system, which would result in the HSR for fresh juices downgraded to below those of diet soft drinks.
Queensland fruit growers fear they will go out of business as a looming health rating shake-up could bring no-added sugar juice in line with some soft drinks. A review of the system proposes scrapping fresh juice s five-star rating to as low as two stars, because juice contains naturally occurring sugar. The move is expected to be another blow for already struggling Queenslander farmers, who grow 70 per cent of the fruit used in Australian juices. The Australia and New Zealand Ministerial Forum on Food Regulation, which Queensland ministers Yvette D Ath and Mark Furner sit on, will vote on the health rating on February 12.
Growth and diversification for an Australian premium fruit juicing company in a challenging year
This year has been a big year of change and diversification for one of Australia s leading premium fruit juice companies.
South Australia s Ashton Valley Fresh released three new retail products, including an all Aussie apple and orange juice and an apple and blackcurrant juice. In addition, a new range of condiments (oil, apple cider vinegar, and balsamic vinegar) will be launched within the next week. But the year has not been without challenges. We’re producing bulk juice with a limited number of juicing apples on the market for the first time in years due to low crop yield, bushfires, weather, and higher than ever first grade apple packouts, Business Development Manager Joyce Ceravolo said. It’s been a challenge for us and customers to absorb the sharp price increase in juicing fruit but they’ve been fantastic in supporting us through unprecedented times.