2020 Australian of the Year Dr James Muecke’s war against preventable chronic diseases began as a junior doctor.

In Australia, the ophthalmologist declared war on diabetes, promoted low-carb diets and savaged the country’s dietary guidelines as “flawed, biased and unscientific”.

His latest salvo is directed at the Federal Government’s push to mandate health star ratings on food products which he says is little more than an industry device designed by industry for industry.