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FRANCE – The proposed adoption of Nutri-Score as a mandatory nutrition labelling system across the European Union remains uncertain, despite initial enthusiasm when the scheme was introduced in 2017.
As reported by analysts, Nutri-Score’s implementation has faced substantial challenges due to regulatory delays, resistance from member states, and concerns among food manufacturers.
Nutri-Score, a colour-coded front-of-pack label, was designed to provide consumers with clear and immediate insight into a product’s nutritional value on a scale ranging from A to E.
It has been voluntarily adopted in six EU member states, including France, Belgium, Germany, Spain, Luxembourg, and The Netherlands. However, its wider implementation has stagnated as Brussels failed to meet its self-imposed deadline for a nutrition labelling decision nearly two years ago.
Emma Calvert, senior food policy officer at BEUC, an EU consumer lobby group, noted the European Commission’s delay has eroded early momentum.
Calvert highlighted that while several member states supported Nutri-Score initially, they held back in anticipation of an EU-level decision.
“The momentum was halted by the Commission,” she explained, though she remains “cautiously optimistic” about the incoming European Commission’s potential role in reviving discussions.
Complicating matters further is strong opposition from certain EU countries, particularly Italy. Italian officials argue Nutri-Score unfairly penalises foods integral to national identity, such as cheeses and cured meats, due to their higher saturated fat and salt content.
A recent constitutional proposal in Italy underscores the country’s intent to block any mandatory implementation. Similarly, Portugal halted its planned adoption of Nutri-Score earlier this year.
The scheme’s adjustments in late 2023 also added fuel to the controversy. Changes to Nutri-Score’s algorithm, designed to align with updated scientific findings, led to unexpected outcomes.
For instance, the reclassification of milk-based and plant-based beverages alongside sugary soft drinks prompted backlash from Danone, an early proponent of the scheme.
The French dairy giant announced plans to remove Nutri-Score from certain product categories, arguing the changes misrepresented their nutritional value. Danone maintained its commitment to harmonised labelling but stressed the need for consistency with European dietary guidelines.
Julia Buech, a senior analyst at Rabobank, questioned Danone’s decision, stating Nutri-Score’s principles do not allow selective labelling across product lines.
“Companies are not supposed to cherry-pick,” Buech noted, pointing to potential challenges in enforcing Nutri-Score if it remains voluntary.
On the retail front, France’s Carrefour has sought to reignite support for Nutri-Score by demanding suppliers display the label on product listings online.
Carrefour warned non-compliant brands that it would independently calculate Nutri-Score ratings using available data, placing further pressure on manufacturers.
This development could mark a turning point, as other retailers such as Aldi, Lidl, and Delhaize have already embraced the scheme.
However, the debate persists on whether nutrition labels like Nutri-Score significantly influence consumer choices.
Jack Bobo, director at Nottingham University’s Food Systems Institute, remains sceptical, asserting that labels alone cannot drive meaningful dietary changes. Conversely, Calvert views Nutri-Score as critical in combating the EU’s rising obesity rates.
“If there was a better label out there, we would go for that,” she said, emphasising the need for scientifically backed, consumer-friendly solutions.
Despite these discussions, industry experts, including Buech, anticipate Nutri-Score’s voluntary adoption may remain the status quo for the foreseeable future, leaving the scheme’s broader prospects hanging in the balance.
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