What is the health star rating for sesame snaps?

December 22, 2025 •

4 min read

According to nutritional data, a typical pack of sesame snaps contains about 32 grams of sugar per 100 grams, significantly impacting its health star rating. While rich in sesame seeds, the overall score is often moderate due to its high sugar content.

Quick Summary

The health star rating for sesame snaps is typically around 2.5 stars, influenced by a balance of nutritious sesame seeds and high sugar content. The rating is determined by a government-endorsed system that weighs positive nutrients like fiber and protein against negative ones like sugar, saturated fat, and energy.

Key Points

Typical Rating is 2.5 Stars: Most commercial sesame snaps receive a moderate health star rating of around 2.5 out of 5 due to their composition.
High Sugar Content Lowers Score: The use of glucose syrup and sugar to bind the sesame seeds is the primary reason the health star rating is not higher, as sugar is a 'risk nutrient'.
Sesame Seeds Add Positive Nutrients: The presence of sesame seeds contributes healthy elements like protein and fiber, which positively influence the rating.
Compare Similar Products: The health star rating is most useful for comparing similar snack items, like different types of snack bars, and not for comparing disparate food categories.
Always Check the Label: Formulations can vary between brands, so checking the specific nutritional information panel is crucial for making an informed choice.
Moderate Choice, Not Optimal: While better than some low-rated confectionery, a 2.5-star rating indicates sesame snaps are a moderate, rather than a top-tier healthy snack option.
Control Sugar by Making Your Own: For the most nutritious option, making homemade sesame snaps allows you to control the type and amount of sweetener used.

Understanding the Health Star Rating System

The Health Star Rating (HSR) is a voluntary labelling system used in Australia and New Zealand to provide a quick, easy way to compare the nutritional profile of similar packaged foods. The system ranks food from half a star to five stars, with more stars indicating a healthier choice. The rating is not a single value but is based on a calculation that balances 'risk nutrients' with 'healthy ingredients'.

How the Rating is Calculated

Several factors influence a product's HSR. The calculation involves both 'negative' and 'positive' points, which are tallied up to determine the final score.

Negative components (reduce the star rating):

Energy (kJ/calories): Products with higher energy density receive fewer points.
Saturated Fat: High levels of saturated fat negatively impact the score.
Total Sugars: The total sugar content, including both naturally occurring and added sugars, lowers the rating.
Sodium (Salt): Higher sodium levels result in a lower score.

Positive components (increase the star rating):

Protein: Higher protein content can boost the score.
Dietary Fibre: Products rich in fibre are awarded more points.
Fruit, Vegetable, Nut, and Legume (FVNL) Content: A higher percentage of FVNL content improves the rating.

The Specifics for Sesame Snaps

A common health star rating for sesame snaps is around 2.5 stars. This places it in a moderate category, suggesting it is a more considered choice than a lower-rated snack but is not the healthiest option available. The rating for sesame snaps is a result of a direct trade-off between the nutritional benefits of sesame seeds and the high sugar content required to bind the snaps together.

Breaking Down the Nutritional Profile

To understand the 2.5-star rating, it's helpful to look at the individual nutritional components per 100g:

High Sugar Content: With around 32g of total sugars per 100g, this is the most significant negative factor. The glucose syrup and added sugar used to create the 'snap' directly lower the rating.
Moderate Fat Content: A total fat content of approximately 29g per 100g contributes to the energy density, which negatively affects the score.
Nutrient-Dense Sesame Seeds: On the positive side, sesame seeds contribute significant amounts of protein and fiber, which help to balance out the negative components. Sesame seeds are also rich in healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals.

Sesame Snaps vs. Other Packaged Snacks

It's important to compare sesame snaps with similar products, as the HSR is designed for like-for-like comparisons. A 2.5-star rating is better than some heavily processed biscuits or confectionery, but it is not as high as genuinely whole-food-based snacks.


Feature	Sesame Snaps	Healthier Muesli/Nut Bar	High-Sugar Confectionery
HSR (Typical)	2.5 stars	4.0-5.0 stars	0.5-2.0 stars
Key Negative Factor	High sugar from glucose syrup	Varies; can be high sugar or fat	Very high sugar and often saturated fat
Key Positive Factor	Fiber and protein from sesame seeds	Whole grains, nuts, and fruit	None to minimal nutritional benefit
Overall Health Score	Moderate	Higher	Low

How to Make a Healthier Choice

If you love sesame snaps, there are ways to enjoy them while still making healthy choices:

Read the Label: Always check the Nutrition Information Panel (NIP) and the ingredients list. Compare brands, as the HSR can vary slightly based on formulation. Look for brands with lower sugar and higher fiber and protein content.
Consider Portions: A single sesame snap is a small, satisfying treat. Be mindful of serving sizes to avoid overconsumption of sugar.
Make Your Own: For maximum control over the ingredients, consider making your own sesame snaps at home using honey or a low-glycemic sweetener instead of glucose syrup.
Vary Your Snacks: Don't rely solely on one type of snack. Incorporate a variety of whole foods like nuts, seeds, and fresh fruit into your diet.

Conclusion

While the core ingredient, sesame seeds, offers genuine health benefits, the high sugar content of most commercial sesame snaps significantly reduces their health star rating. A typical rating of 2.5 stars reflects this nutritional compromise. It is a more nutritious option than many low-scoring processed snacks, but it falls short when compared to whole-food alternatives. Consumers should always read labels and consider the balance of nutrients to make an informed decision. The health star rating serves as a helpful guide for comparing similar products, and by understanding how it's calculated, you can better navigate the supermarket aisles. For a truly healthy snack, opting for minimally processed sesame seeds or making your own snaps provides a more nutritious outcome.

Footnote: The Health Star Rating system has been reviewed and updated over time to better reflect dietary guidelines. For the most current information and to understand the latest calculation methods, you can visit the official Health Star Rating system website for Australia and New Zealand.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sesame snaps are a moderate snack option. While they contain nutritious sesame seeds rich in healthy fats, protein, and fiber, they are also bound together with high amounts of sugar and glucose syrup, which lowers their overall health star rating.

A typical health star rating for commercial sesame snaps is around 2.5 stars. This rating can vary slightly between brands depending on their specific formulation and ingredients.

The health star rating for sesame snaps is kept moderate due to the high amount of sugar, primarily from glucose syrup, used to bind the ingredients. The rating system penalizes foods high in sugar, saturated fat, and energy, which counterbalances the positive nutritional contributions from the sesame seeds.

The Health Star Rating is calculated by balancing negative points for nutrients like saturated fat, sodium, sugar, and energy against positive points for healthy ingredients such as fruit, vegetables, nuts, legumes, protein, and fiber.

The health star rating for sesame snaps (around 2.5 stars) is typically lower than that of healthier, whole-grain-based muesli and nut bars, which can achieve ratings of 4.0 to 5.0 stars. However, it is generally higher than low-rated sugary confectionery.

Yes, homemade sesame snaps can be a healthier alternative. By making them yourself, you can control the type and amount of sweetener used, such as opting for a natural or lower-glycemic option like honey in moderation.

Sesame snaps do provide a source of protein from the sesame seeds. However, to maximize the protein benefit, you would need to consume a significant amount, which also means a higher intake of sugar and energy.