I released a little thunder on this page a fortnight ago, noting that the health star rating system we use on food labelling in Australia is demonstrably ludicrous. The column damn nigh went viral, and I was contacted from all quarters by professionals and punters alike, strongly agreeing it was a farce. One exception was a phone call from a nice bloke high in the star rating apparatus itself asking me to understand that with the politics of food, the power of Big Sugar, the rating-system was actually a triumph of what could be achieved against all odds, and they were now working on its flaws.

But I say bugger it.

When it comes to the politics of food, we need a government that insists the public health infrastructure be freed from the influence of Big Sugar and be devoted to one thing and one thing only – something like, you know, public health?

But it is not remotely like that, and the star rating system is far from alone in suffering that influence.