After 26 years, the Heart Foundation’s controversial Tick is being taken out to pasture. The symbol is set to be phased out over the next year or two, to be replaced by the government’s Healthy Star Rating [HSR]. The Tick was developed to provide consumers with a simple way of comparing foods for the […]
After 26 years, the Heart Foundation’s controversial Tick is being taken out to pasture.
The symbol is set to be phased out over the next year or two, to be replaced by the government’s Healthy Star Rating [HSR].
The Tick was developed to provide consumers with a simple way of comparing foods for the healthier option, and requiring food manufacturers to disclose their nutritional information on the packaging.
However, the brand suffered damage to its credibility when it was given to high sugar junk foods and products like pies, pizzas and McDonalds burgers.
It was also swamped by controversy after accepting sponsorship with companies in the junk food industry, such as one deal with McDonalds to the tune of $300,000 per year to display the symbol on some of their menu items.
However, the Heart Foundation puts the retirement of the Tick down to the changing demands of Australian shoppers.
“Since the launch, the HSR system has been well received by food manufacturers (more than 1500 products now carry the HSR) and is becoming sufficiently well established, and understood by shoppers. We feel we can now safely begin to retire the Tick,” said Heart Foundation CEO Mary Barry.
More than 2000 products are currently Tick-approved, up from 140 in the year after its launch.
“Our research has shown that over many years, the Tick has been the most recognised logo on food in Australia with up to 2.8 million Australians looking for the Tick every day when they shopped for food.”
