The Nutri-score evaluates the nutritional quality of food products with a « grade » from A to E. The classification is changing this year, and the labels are going to be different. Is it still reliable for consumers?
Green is rolling, orange is caution, and red is watch out! This universal color code, well understood by the general public, has been adopted by the Nutri-score, which also assigns letters, from A to E , to food products according to their nutritional content. At a glance, consumers can clearly see the nutritional quality of a packet of cake, a can of tomatoes, or a four-cheese pizza.
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Companies and brands involved in this voluntary approach have two years to update their packaging and affix the new Nutri-Score.
1. The Nutri-score, a European ranking
This classification began appearing on consumer food packaging in 2017 after being incorporated by the government into the law modernizing the healthcare system. However, the work that led to its creation began in 2014, under the leadership of Serge Hercberg, a French epidemiologist and nutritionist and professor at the Sorbonne Paris Nord University.
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Very quickly after its official introduction in France, the Nutri-Score was adopted by several European countries. It is now found in Spain, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and Switzerland. The European Commission is considering a possible extension, or even a mandatory requirement, as recommended by a group of 316 scientists.
A tool recommended by the International Agency for Research on Cancer and the World Health Organization (WHO), the Nutri-score is now managed by Santé publique France, which defines its terms and conditions with the other relevant European health agencies. At the end of April 2023, the seven health authorities collectively announced that the classification algorithm would see its calculation method revised to promote healthier food choices.
2. How many products display the Nutri-score?
In France, approximately 900 brands have chosen to apply the Nutri-score logo to their product packaging. Whether it’s yogurts, ready meals, cereals, or drinks, major food companies like Kellogg’s, Danone, Nestlé, or Vico have adopted it for their entire range. Many private label brands use it to highlight the quality of their products, sometimes modifying their recipes to obtain a more favorable rating.
Nutri-Score: its effectiveness is proven, except in cases of conflict of interest
Since its creation in 2014, the Nutri-Score has been criticized by the agri-food lobby, which considers it useless. However, the analysis of several scientific studies demonstrates its validity.
Faced with these converts who emphasize a concern for quality and public health, with « products contributing to a balanced diet, » several giants reject this classification and fight against it. The Italian Ferrero, the Americans Coca-Cola or Mondelēz (Milka, Oreo, Toblerone, etc.), Unilever International and even the French Lactalis (President, Company, Bridel, etc.) which believes that « the Nutri-score does not accurately reflect the quality of our products. »
3. What changes in 2025?
Today, the score is assigned based on the content – per 100 grams or 100 milliliters of product – of nutrients and foods to favor (fiber, protein, fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, rapeseed, walnut and olive oil), and of nutrients to limit (energy, saturated fatty acids, sugars, salt).
Nutri-score: do you shop based on product ratings?
In supermarket aisles, consumers don’t always trust the Nutri-score. In fact, they’re wary of it…
« Products rated D or E are very sweet, very salty, or very fatty, » summarizes Caroline Péchery, co-founder of the company ScanUp, which has developed an application for consumers and works on food transparency and product innovation with major food companies. « The new algorithm will integrate more stringent thresholds with a significant impact, since it is estimated that a third of the products on the French market will see their rating downgraded. »
« This is a first step towards taking into account the degree of transformation of products. »
Some brands like Bjorg have already threatened to abandon the Nutri-score. « But will this withdrawal be a long-term trend? What signal is it sending to consumers? ‘Transparency is fine, but when it suits me’? Manufacturers have every interest in keeping it, » believes Caroline Péchery.
4. What impact on which products?
The new classification proposed by the Scientific Committee in 2023 improves the Nutri-score’s ability to discriminate between fats and oils based on saturated and fatty acid values. With the new calculation method, rapeseed, walnut, and olive oils are now classified B, instead of C.
With the change in the carbohydrate threshold, some cereals that previously had an A or B rating will suffer from their sugar content, which is still quite high, and will move to a C rating. Milk will now be considered a beverage, and will therefore lose its A rating, which is only awarded to water in this category.
Hence the opposition of farmers, cheese producers and the charcuterie industry to this new classification which will rate their products less highly.
Food: Nutri-Score defended by agri-food companies and large retailers
Several economic players in the mass distribution and agri-food sectors are defending the benefits of Nutri-Score for consumers, which has been criticized by the Minister of Agriculture, Annie Genevard, who is slowing down its reform.
Overall, the change brings the classification of meat products more in line with European dietary guidelines, clearly distinguishing between red meat products and those made from poultry. And while minimally processed and unseasoned beef dishes can still achieve an A classification, chicken nuggets and other cordon bleus are shifted toward less favorable ratings.
As for cheeses, to the great displeasure of their producers, they will remain in category C, the latter being high in fat, and often in salt, « even if their composition is healthy, » says Caroline Péchery.
5. Penalty for sweeteners
Until now, some sodas and flavored waters received an A rating due to the presence of sweeteners. « Scientists have decided to penalize this ultra-processed ingredient, » the expert explains. Several recent studies have demonstrated the risks associated with cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, and coronary diseases. The WHO recommends no longer using them in food products.
Strawberry, peach, pomegranate… The General Directorate for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control (DGCCRF) defines a flavoring as a « product not intended to be consumed as is, which is added to foodstuffs to give them an odor and/or a taste or to modify them. » These flavorings can consist of « flavoring substances » (molecules, such as vanillin or menthol) and/or « flavoring preparations. » Examples include extracts, essential oils, etc.
« This is a first step toward taking into account the degree of processing of products, » continues Caroline Péchery. « Consumers are attentive to the presence of additives in what they buy. But all the ingredients that are not found in your cupboards at home are ultra-processed ingredients. » In a future evolution of the Nutri-score, they could be identified by a black border on the logo.
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6. Change over time
Manufacturers will have two years to update the logo on their packaging. During a transition period, consumers could buy an « A » product that would actually be rated C, or worse. A new logo design should help differentiate the product. Another option in the meantime, to get the actual rating, is to use an app like ScanUp and scan the products!
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