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Planet-Score employs advanced processing metric to detect synthetic additives.

Planet-Score employs advanced processing metric to detect synthetic additives. Planet-Score, synthetic additives., ultra-processing metric Food and Beverage Business

The environmental labelling scheme Planet-Score is entering a new phase after two years on the market. The scheme, which rates products according to their environmental impact and methods of production, has added new features to improve product transparency. In addition to existing indicators, the updated version will also reveal information on the degree of processing, origin, and whether fair remuneration was paid to producers.

According to a spokesperson for Planet-Score, consumers are looking for more information than that provided by France’s official voluntary nutrition labelling scheme, Nutri-Score. Transparency regarding origin and fair treatment of farmers are key elements of concern for today’s consumers.

The Planet-Score evolution began in 2021 in France and was created by the Organic Food and Farming Institute (ITAB), research organisation Sayari, and consumer-focused research group Very Good Future. The scheme aims to differentiate environmental impacts across a range of product categories, as well as within categories. It does this by using life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology, while addressing additional sustainability elements including pesticides, climate, biodiversity, and animal welfare.

To present a more comprehensive view, Planet-Score has added three new indicators: the degree of processing, origin of product, and whether farmers have been fairly remunerated for their raw materials. According to the scheme’s creators, many companies are not transparent about these indicators, making it hard for consumers to make well-informed purchases.

To measure the new indicators, Planet-Score examines labels, as well as commitments made by food and beverage manufacturers. Early adopters of the updated version include poultry cooperative Fermiers de Loué, online grocery platform Omie & Cie, and organic retailer Biocoop.

The degree of processing is measured, in part, using the NOVA classification system, which categorises food processing into four levels. However, Planet-Score also identifies products with synthetic additives, particularly those linked to scientific publications on public health issues.

Assessing fair remuneration to farmers involves verification of certification schemes in the Global North and South. Planet-Score determines the country of origin based on whether the product is plant-based or animal-derived. For plant-based products, the focus is on where the product was made, while for animal-derived products, both the origin of production and origin of feed are evaluated.

Planet-Score believes that sustainability is a holistic story, and that transparency on all major food sector issues is necessary for a successful transition.

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