The Shanghai Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention (SCDC) has launched a pilot program to label both prepackaged RTD beverages and freshly-prepared beverages, such as those sold in tea shops and cafes. This traffic light labeling scheme, known as 营养选择 or ‘Nutritional Choice,’ is similar to systems used in other markets like Singapore (Nutri-Grade) and the United Kingdom (Nutri-Score). It categorizes beverages using a green-to-red color scheme and the letters A to D to indicate nutritional value, with Grade A being the most recommended and Grade D being the least recommended.
SCDC stated, “This scheme categorizes beverages based on both domestic and international standards, considering the nutritional value of the ingredients as well as the local population consumption.” The designations are determined based on factors like non-dairy sugar content, saturated fat content, and trans-fat content. For a beverage to receive a Grade A label, it must adhere to strict criteria, including limits on non-dairy sugars, saturated fats, trans-fats, and no artificial sweeteners.
In the Shanghai system, a Grade B label indicates moderate levels of non-dairy sugar, saturated fat, and trans-fats, while a Grade C label signifies higher levels of non-dairy sugar and saturated fat but also contains trans-fats. The labeling system considers the lowest-performing criterion when assigning a grade to a beverage.
Major brands such as Naixue, CHAGEE, and Starbucks have adopted these labels on their products, aligning with consumer demand for reduced-sugar, healthier beverages. According to Naixue, a majority of consumers are making healthier choices, with a notable increase in less-sugar purchases. The objective of these labels is to provide consumers with clear nutritional information to guide them towards healthier food and beverage choices.
The SCDC mentioned, “The point of the labels is to convey concise, easy-to-understand nutritional information to consumers, in order to better guide them towards making healthier choices in their everyday food and beverage purchases.”
In conclusion, this labeling system serves as a direct way for consumers to identify healthier beverage options, and it reflects the industry trend towards promoting healthier choices. Stay informed about latest trends and innovations in the food and beverage industry by registering for the Growth Asia Summit 2024 happening this July. Don’t miss out on gaining insights from industry leaders and experts.
