ABOUT ReAL FOOD RATING
Australia's First Transparent, Science-backed Food Rating System
ABOUT ReAL FOOD RATING
Australia's First Transparent, Science-backed Food Rating System
OUR MISSION
At Real Food Rating, we’re closing the gap between conventional nutrition science and a whole food philosophy—because food should nourish, not confuse. In a time of rising chronic illness and misleading marketing, we’ve built Australia’s most robust, transparent, and balanced food rating system—rooted in real food, as nature intended.
This mission is personal. We exist to empower parents and consumers with the tools and knowledge to make informed choices that safeguard their families’ health. Because protecting our children’s wellbeing today lays the foundation for healthier generations to come.
What truly sets us apart? Independence. Our ratings cannot be bought, swayed, or shaped by industry influence. Each assessment is based solely on scientific integrity and whole food values—offering Australians a rating system they can finally trust.
OUR STORY
“Why is it so difficult for parents to identify truly nutritious food products in today’s market?”
Real Food Rating was born from this powerful question posed by our founder, Mandy Sacher. After more than 20 years spent analyzing food ingredients, consulting with families, and witnessing the real-world effects of poor nutrition on children’s health, Mandy knew that existing food labels and rating systems were failing families.
What began as her personal mission to protect her own family’s health has since grown into a national movement for food transparency. Mandy’s vision—paired with input from leading dietitians, scientists, and industry experts—became the foundation for the Real Food Rating (RFR): a pioneering rating system that reveals what other conventional Food rating systems don’t.
THE ReAL FOOD RATING DIFFERENCE
Unlike other food rating systems that focus solely on nutrients or single ingredients, our Real Food Rating takes a holistic approach that considers:
Whole Food Content
Prioritising minimally processed ingredients rather than highly refined or ultra-processed components
Additive Analysis
Identifying potentially harmful additives, preservatives, colours, and flavours.
Developmental Appropriateness
Assessing suitability for different developmental stages
Nutrient Density
Measuring beneficial nutrients per calorie and considering nutrient bioavailability
Processing Impact
Evaluating how manufacturing processes affect nutritional integrity
Sustainability Impact
Assessing farming practices, environmental footprint, and long-term health implications
Behind every Real Food Rating is our groundbreaking proprietary algorithm—developed through scientific research and a commitment to transparency that puts the health of Australian families above all else. When you see our Real Food Rating certification, you can trust it represents the gold standard in clean label food evaluation.
MEET OUR EXPERT TEAM
Our multidisciplinary team combines expertise in nutrition science, food technology, behavioral psychology, and family wellness to create the most comprehensive and practical food rating system available.
Mandy Sacher
Mandy Sacher is widely recognised as Australia’s foremost authority on paediatric nutrition, with a mission to transform how families and institutions approach children's health through a wholefood lens. With more than two decades of expertise in nutritional science, product formulation, and evidence-based education, Mandy has become a trusted voice across Australia’s media landscape and parenting community.
As the founder of Real Food Rating, Mandy has pioneered Australia’s first independent, science-backed rating system designed to cut through misleading food marketing and empower families to make informed choices. The system reflects her commitment to transparency and her deep understanding of the critical role nutrition plays in childhood development and lifelong health. Mandy’s career was shaped early on by her key role in the globally acclaimed MEND (Mind, Exercise, Nutrition…Do it!) programme, the world’s leading childhood obesity prevention initiative. At London’s Institute of Child Health and Great Ormond Street Hospital, she co-authored the programme’s training manuals alongside world-leading dietitians and behavioural specialists—resources that continue to be used across Australia, New Zealand, and the US. Back home, Mandy went on to break new ground as Australia’s first Chief Nutrition Officer in the childcare sector and creator of the nation’s first digital wholefood baby weaning programme—a methodology now implemented by centres worldwide.
Her bestselling book, Wholesome Child: A Complete Nutrition Guide and Cookbook, has become a staple in thousands of Australian homes, offering families practical tools to raise resilient, healthy eaters. As a mother of two, Mandy combines deep professional expertise with personal insight, making her guidance both relatable and impactful. Mandy is regularly invited to share her expertise on Channel 7, 9, and 10, including appearances on The Today Show, Today Extra, The Project, A Current Affair, The Morning Show, and Studio 10. Her expert commentary is also featured in top parenting and health platforms such as News.com.au, Kidspot, Mamamia, and more. She has partnered with leading family-focused brands including Munchkin, Uber Eats, Bellamy's and Big W to further her advocacy for children’s nutrition.
Through Real Food Rating, Mandy continues her unwavering mission: to provide families with a trustworthy, independent guide to navigating modern food choices—empowering them to protect and enhance their health now and for generations to come.
Dr. Paul Sacher
Dr. Paul Sacher, brother of Real Food Rating founder Mandy Sacher, brings his unparalleled expertise as an internationally recognised authority in behavioural science, AI, and nutrition innovation to this strategic partnership. As a clinician scientist and Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Dr. Sacher has revolutionised the digital health landscape through co-founding MEND (Mind, Exercise, Nutrition, Do it!), one of the world's most successful evidence-based family health programmes implemented across multiple continents. He has developed AI-powered health platforms that have reached over one million subscribers in 80 countries, created groundbreaking predictive models and AI Behaviour Change Coaching Agents that personalise health interventions, and contributed 26 peer-reviewed scientific papers while speaking at 49 international conferences.
This collaboration represents a perfect synergy between the Real Food Rating system's comprehensive food evaluation methodology and Sacher AI's cutting-edge technological capabilities. Dr. Sacher's exceptional talent for translating complex nutritional and behavioural science into practical, accessible solutions strengthens the Real Food Rating mission.
Together, this pioneering partnership is set to transform how Australian families understand nutrition, combining human expertise with AI-powered insights to make truly informed decisions simpler and more accessible than ever before
- Public Health Researchers who ensure our standards align with the latest population health insights
- Registered Dietitians who validate the nutritional principles behind our evaluation criteria
- Recipe Developers who create family-friendly meals that showcase RFI-certified products
- Food Scientists who analyse the technical aspects of food processing and formulation
- Marketing Specialists who help translate complex nutritional information into accessible guidance
- Child Development Experts who ensure our approach considers the unique nutritional needs of growing children
Best
5 Ticks
Exceptional whole food quality
Good
4 - 4.5 Ticks
Good food quality / minimal processing
Okay
3 - 3.5 Ticks
Okay food quality / moderate processing
Limit
2 - 2.5 Ticks
Fair food quality / significant processing
Avoid
0 - 1.5 Ticks
Poor food quality / highly processed
Use the RFR colour index to shop smarter:
choose products in the ‘Best’ and ‘Good’ tiers for optimal nutrition, limit those in the orange zone, and avoid red-rated products where possible to reduce your family’s exposure to poor-quality, highly processed foods.
Ingredient Assessment
Detailed analysis of every ingredient for nutritional value and processing level
Nutritional Analysis
Evaluation of macro and micronutrient composition
Additive Screening
Identification of potentially harmful additives, preservatives, and artificial ingredients
Production Method Review
Consideration of how processing affects nutritional integrity
Age-Appropriate Evaluation
Assessment of suitability for different developmental stages
Independent Verification
Third-party testing and validation when necessary
Products that meet our standards receive certification and can display the Real Food Rating seal on their packaging—a trusted symbol that helps consumers make better food choices at a glance.
OUR IMPACT
Since launch, Mandy's Real Food Ratings and Supermarket Swaps have helped thousands of Australian Families:
For Parents
Make more informed food choices for your family with our evidence-based guidance
For Brands
Lead with integrity and transparency with our certification
Join us in making real food simple again — and together, let’s raise the standard for future generations.
APP COMING SOON...
Join the waitlist for exclusive first access and special launch offers. The Real Food Rating app puts Australia's most comprehensive food rating system at your fingertips.