The ongoing debate surrounding the Nutri-Score continues to gain momentum. Advocates of the front-of-pack (FOP) nutrition label assert that the Nutri-Score assists consumers in making informed, healthier choices while encouraging manufacturers to improve the nutritional content of their products. Opponents, on the other hand, claim that the Nutri-Score discriminates against traditional foods and is not conducive to the Mediterranean diet. A new report signed by over 300 European scientists and healthcare professionals disputes these claims as ‘fake news’.
The EU Scientists & Health Professionals for Nutri-Score report addresses commonly asked questions to explain why the European Commission should adopt the Nutri-Score nutrition label for its harmonized mandatory nutrition label. One question frequently asked is why the Nutri-Score algorithm does not take ultra-processing into account. The report authors clarify that no FOP nutritional label worldwide accounts for other health dimensions of food, such as the presence of additives, pesticide residues, or ultra-processing. Nutri-Score only provides information on the composition and nutritional quality of food, similar to all other FOP nutritional labels. Nonetheless, educating consumers to recognize ultra-processed foods is crucial, and an ‘ultra-processed’ marking could be added to the current Nutri-Score label.
The report explains that the NOVA classification system that divides food processing into four classifications, from raw to ultra-processed, has also faced criticism. Some ultra-processed foods may have good nutritional quality and could be classified with Nutri-Score A or B. Additionally, some of the foods considered non ultra-processed (according to the NOVA system) can also exhibit low nutritional quality.
Nutri-Score has also been accused of being at odds with public health recommendations and the Mediterranean diet. The report authors refute this claim, highlighting the Nutri-Score’s alignment with the traditional Mediterranean diet. Nutri-Score is also not a substitute for public health recommendations but should be complementary.
In conclusion, the Nutri-Score system plays a crucial role in assisting consumers in making healthy food choices. The report authors recommend that food manufacturers embrace the Nutri-Score label to aid consumers in choosing healthier foods.