The Health Star system is being changed to better reflect added sugar and salt in nutritional ratings.

Nutritionists are welcoming changes to the programme, which rates nutritional content of packaged food up to five stars.

Today's upgrade gives lower star ratings to foods with high levels of added sugar and salt.

Deputy Director-General of New Zealand Food Safety Vincent Arbuckle told Kate Hawkesby uptake has been increasing.

He says major producers see value in the scheme, and both major supermarket chains have heavily adopted it.

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