Nutri-Score Faces Growing Controversy as Brands Exit and Retailers Push Forward
Source: DairyNews.today
The Nutri-Score labeling system, intended to simplify nutritional information for consumers, is facing increasing controversy as several major brands pull out, while many retailers continue to back the initiative.
This divide underscores ongoing debates in the European food and beverage industry regarding the effectiveness and fairness of front-of-pack nutrition labels.
A new RaboResearch report highlights the criticism Nutri-Score has received for allegedly oversimplifying product nutrition ratings, which is a concern now echoed by both brands and national food authorities.
Danone’s Partial Withdrawal Raises Questions
Danone, once a leading supporter of Nutri-Score, recently announced plans to remove the label from its dairy and plant-based drinks. The decision came after a recent algorithm upd ate that reclassified these products under a new category, leading to lower average scores. Industry experts suggest Danone’s exit raises questions about Nutri-Score’s reliability, as brands are expected to apply the label consistently across all categories, without selectively excluding products.
This move could se t a precedent for other companies contemplating a similar approach, potentially undermining the system’s credibility. Nutri-Score guidelines mandate uniform application of scores, which discourages selective labeling that could favor certain products over others.
Resistance from Italy and Portugal
Several EU countries, notably Italy and Portugal, have also voiced strong opposition. Italian authorities argue that Nutri-Score unfairly penalizes beloved national foods like cheeses and cured meats, which may score poorly due to their higher saturated fat and salt content. In response, Italy has even proposed a constitutional amendment that would complicate Nutri-Score’s implementation. Portugal, similarly, recently withdrew its commitment to adopt Nutri-Score, citing concerns over national food representation and lack of consultation with domestic food authorities.
Retailers Double Down on Nutri-Score
Despite brand and national pushback, major European retailers are moving forward with Nutri-Score. Chains like Carrefour, Auchan, Delhaize, Aldi, and Lidl view it as a vital part of their health and transparency goals. Lidl Spain, for instance, aims to apply Nutri-Score labeling to all private-label products by 2026, up from 50% today.
Yet, not all retailers are convinced. Switzerland’s Migros announced it would not adopt Nutri-Score, citing high costs and limited consumer benefit, reflecting broader uncertainty within the retail sector about the long-term viability of the labeling system.
Algorithm Overhaul and Implications
The recent algorithm update has had a notable impact on Nutri-Score ratings across several product categories, often lowering scores without any change to product formulation. As private-label products are among the most widely labeled with Nutri-Score, they provide a useful benchmark for tracking these shifts. Across bakery, meat, fish, and plant-based categories, brands are witnessing downgrades in average scores, reshaping the nutritional landscape of European food labeling.
With a two-year transition period for the algorithm update, further score changes are likely, forcing brands to rethink their approach to Nutri-Score. As the system evolves, it remains to be seen how Nutri-Score will balance consumer transparency demands with the complexities of nutritional science and the diverse landscape of European foods.
A new RaboResearch report highlights the criticism Nutri-Score has received for allegedly oversimplifying product nutrition ratings, which is a concern now echoed by both brands and national food authorities.
Danone’s Partial Withdrawal Raises Questions
Danone, once a leading supporter of Nutri-Score, recently announced plans to remove the label from its dairy and plant-based drinks. The decision came after a recent algorithm upd ate that reclassified these products under a new category, leading to lower average scores. Industry experts suggest Danone’s exit raises questions about Nutri-Score’s reliability, as brands are expected to apply the label consistently across all categories, without selectively excluding products.
This move could se t a precedent for other companies contemplating a similar approach, potentially undermining the system’s credibility. Nutri-Score guidelines mandate uniform application of scores, which discourages selective labeling that could favor certain products over others.
Resistance from Italy and Portugal
Several EU countries, notably Italy and Portugal, have also voiced strong opposition. Italian authorities argue that Nutri-Score unfairly penalizes beloved national foods like cheeses and cured meats, which may score poorly due to their higher saturated fat and salt content. In response, Italy has even proposed a constitutional amendment that would complicate Nutri-Score’s implementation. Portugal, similarly, recently withdrew its commitment to adopt Nutri-Score, citing concerns over national food representation and lack of consultation with domestic food authorities.
Retailers Double Down on Nutri-Score
Despite brand and national pushback, major European retailers are moving forward with Nutri-Score. Chains like Carrefour, Auchan, Delhaize, Aldi, and Lidl view it as a vital part of their health and transparency goals. Lidl Spain, for instance, aims to apply Nutri-Score labeling to all private-label products by 2026, up from 50% today.
Yet, not all retailers are convinced. Switzerland’s Migros announced it would not adopt Nutri-Score, citing high costs and limited consumer benefit, reflecting broader uncertainty within the retail sector about the long-term viability of the labeling system.
Algorithm Overhaul and Implications
The recent algorithm update has had a notable impact on Nutri-Score ratings across several product categories, often lowering scores without any change to product formulation. As private-label products are among the most widely labeled with Nutri-Score, they provide a useful benchmark for tracking these shifts. Across bakery, meat, fish, and plant-based categories, brands are witnessing downgrades in average scores, reshaping the nutritional landscape of European food labeling.
With a two-year transition period for the algorithm update, further score changes are likely, forcing brands to rethink their approach to Nutri-Score. As the system evolves, it remains to be seen how Nutri-Score will balance consumer transparency demands with the complexities of nutritional science and the diverse landscape of European foods.
