Front-to-package labels relevance for policy: the Nutri-Score as case study

Abstract

Abstract Front-of-package nutrition labels provide simplified information on the nutritional composition of foods. They are considered efficient tools to help consumers make heathier food choices at the point of purchase and may thus contribute at preventing nutrition-related diseases (overweight and obesity, cardiovascular disease, cancer etc.). The Nutri-score is a summary graded front-of-pack label developed in France in 2014. Using a nutrient profiling system, it classifies products in five categories from A/green to E/red depending on their composition in energy, saturated fats, sugars, salt, fibers, proteins and fruit, vegetables, legumes, nuts and olive, canola and nut oils. The validation of the Nutri-Score investigated both the validation of the nutrient profiling system underlying it and its graphical format, comparing its performance to several other schemes currently in use in the world. Overall, the Nutri-Score is aligned with dietary guidelines, and the average nutrient profile of the foods consumed at the dietary level appeared to reflect the nutritional quality of the diet. At the diet level, the nutrient profile of the foods consumed has been found to be associated with higher risks of cancer, cardio-vascular diseases, weight gain or metabolic syndrome in multiple cohort studies. Finally, compared to other schemes the Nutri-Score was found to be the most effective at improving the capacity of consumers to compare products and help them make healthier food choices in purchasing situations.