After more than a decade of debate, Australian state and federal ministers voted on Friday to make the health star rating system mandatory on food packaging. Introduced 13 years ago as a voluntary scheme, the labels help consumers pick healthier foods. However, only 39% of products displayed the rating because the food industry resisted the rules. Lobbyists argued the system was expensive, ignoring the huge health costs linked to poor diets. Producers often tricked the system by adding healthy ingredients to boost their star ratings while hiding unhealthy ones. For example, a sugary processed drink might get a better rating than plain milk. Many public health groups like the Australian Medical Association welcomed the decision. Some experts, though, want a new system with clear warning labels. Yet most agree that starting over would cause another long battle with the powerful food industry. The new law will take about a year to finalize, with the industry likely wanting more time to adapt. Experts say the star rating formula needs updating to better reflect food processing and overall health impact. Meanwhile, Australia has not followed other countries in taxing sugary drinks, a proven health measure blocked by industry pressure. Critics say simply telling people to eat better is not enough when cheap unhealthy options and aggressive marketing dominate shelves. They warn that without stronger rules and transparency, unhealthy diets and poor health will keep growing. Making health star ratings mandatory is a win for public health, but deeper reforms are still needed.