CHANGES to the health rating of fresh orange juice, now labelling it with less stars than diet soft drinks, will negatively effect the finances of Riverland citrus producers, according to a senior local industry figure.
The Australian and New Zealand Ministerial Forum on Food Regulation earlier this month revised the Health Star Rating (HSR) for fresh juice with no added sugar, which had previously been rated at a maximum five stars.
Citrus SA chair Mark Doecke, of Sunlands, said the decision would have direct impacts on the profits of Riverland growers.
“It is likely that juice sales will fall if fresh, not from concentrate juice, is given the same Health Star Rating as diet soft drink,” Mr Doecke said.
“A decline in juice sales will also see the price for juicing oranges fall.”
“While the Riverland predominantly grows fruit for the export and domestic fresh fruit markets, because of consumer demand for the ‘perfect looking’ piece of fruit, a significant volume of navel oranges are also juiced if they are over or undersized or have blemish.
“If the price paid by processors for juicing oranges drops, it will have a significant impact on grower returns.”
Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management David Littleproud said an amendment seeking a four-star rating – supported by NSA and SA governments – was also denied.
“We were on the side of our $800 million dollar fruit juice industry and our nation’s 1900 citrus growers,” Mr Littleproud said.
“I thank the pragmatic support given to the Commonwealth by New South Wales and South Australia for moving an amendment recognising the absurdity of the situation to rate at four-stars as a compromise.
“But this too was rejected the other states, territories and New Zealand.
“With this latest decision, it is the Food Forum’s star that has fallen.”
Citrus Australia CEO Nathan Hancock said the new two-and-a-half-star rating for juice – compared to a four-star rating for diet cola – could “have a detrimental health effect on the community”.
“The algorithm that underpins the new HSR assesses fresh juice on sugar content alone and does not consider essential nutrients, such as vitamin C, potassium, folate and magnesium, or antioxidants,” Mr Hancock said.
“It also contradicts the Australian Dietary Guidelines (ADG), which places fresh juice in the ‘eat more of’ category. There are allowances in the ADG for the substitution of fruit juice for a whole piece of fruit in the diet.
“Vitamin C contributes to immune defence and one 125ml glass of fresh orange juice contains half the recommended daily intake of vitamin C.”
In a letter to the Ministerial Forum on Food Regulation dated June 3, Member for Barker Tony Pasin said the rating change would have negative financial impacts on Riverland growers.
“In short, juice is the healthier option and these changes will not reflect this,” Mr Pasin said.
“The drought and economic downturn is already increasing costs for farmers, processors and retailers.
“To lessen the demand for fresh juice would only capitulate these issues and I fear lead to further job losses.”
Mr Doecke said industry groups such as Citrus SA would seek a reversal of the “ridiculous” decision.
“We will continue to lobby and work with state and federal politicians in the hope that common-sense will prevail,” Mr Doecke said.
“David Littleproud, Tony Pasin and Tim Whetstone did a lot of lobbying to support citrus growers and I would expect a Liberal Government to find a way to reverse this decision.”