Since its inception in 2017, the Nutri-Score has become an essential tool for helping consumers navigate the vast array of food products available. However, today, as several brands like Danone and Coca-Cola resist displaying it, a collective of scientists and health professionals, backed by the French Public Health Society (SFSP), is calling for its mandatory adoption in France and across the European Union. Why is this measure considered critical for our health? Here’s an explanation.
The Nutri-Score, the well-known nutritional label increasingly seen on food products, was designed to guide consumers in making informed choices. Displayed in a color-coded letter format ranging from A to E, this system indicates the nutritional quality of products by assessing factors such as sugar, saturated fat, fiber, and protein content. It offers a straightforward approach intended to make information clear and user-friendly.
But why has this label sparked political debate and public health discussions? The answer lies in one word: urgency. The alarming rise in cardiovascular disease and obesity diagnoses is concerning.
In October 2024, a coalition of scientists, nutritionists, and healthcare professionals urged the French Prime Minister to mandate the Nutri-Score on all food products. For them, it transcends mere marketing; it is viewed as a vital health regulation tool.
Despite various studies supporting the effectiveness of Nutri-Score, its mandatory implementation faces significant challenges. Major players in the food industry, such as Danone, Ferrero, and Bjorg, have expressed hesitance toward such a requirement, primarily due to potential impacts on their sales. Certain items, traditionally seen as “essential” household items (like snacks and sugary beverages), could end up rated poorly (D or E).
A Public Health Emergency
Obesity: A Growing Epidemic
Today, obesity affects nearly 17% of adults in France, according to recent data from Public Health France, making it a pressing public health challenge. A significant factor contributing to this is consumer product choices during shopping.
Ready-made meals and ultra-processed products now play a major role in our diets. While convenient for quick lunches, the excessive consumption of high-fat, sugary, and salty products is a leading cause of this epidemic. A clear Nutri-Score could prompt consumers to recognize the actual quality of the foods they purchase.
A Measurable Impact on Consumer Behavior
Research conducted in France and Belgium has demonstrated that consumers who utilize the Nutri-Score tend to make healthier food choices. For instance, a 2021 study by ANSES indicated that 60% of shoppers considered the Nutri-Score label while grocery shopping.
This system is therefore expected to significantly reduce the consumption of unhealthy food products, consequently lowering the risk of obesity and cardiovascular diseases.
A Solution to the Complexity of Traditional Labels
Conventional nutritional labels often present a daunting challenge for consumers to decode. Who really has the time to sift through lengthy ingredient lists or assess nutritional values expressed in percentages? Particularly in our fast-paced lives.
In contrast, the Nutri-Score allows consumers to quickly grasp a product’s quality with just a glance, making it a practical tool for those who are busy or less informed about nutrition.
Barriers to the Mandatory Adoption of Nutri-Score
The Lobbying Efforts of the Food Industry
The food industry lobby poses another major hurdle to making Nutri-Score obligatory. Several leading brands have implemented alternative labeling systems or have opted not to display the Nutri-Score at all. Companies like Ferrero, Coca-Cola, Mars, Lactalis, Mondelez, and Kraft have resisted it, fearing impacts on their economic interests.
Furthermore, some companies like Danone and Bjorg, which had initially adopted the label, have recently opted to remove it from certain products. They are reluctant to continue with Nutri-Score if it significantly affects their sales.
As per a 2023 survey by the NGO Foodwatch, over 30% of supermarket products still lack a Nutri-Score label. This raises a question: Is the system still too optional and fragmented to have a meaningful impact?
Political and Health Debates
Politically, the debate is vigorous. Health Minister François Braun has frequently mentioned the potential for making the Nutri-Score mandatory, yet the government appears to hesitate in the face of food lobby pressures.
The dilemma of economic choices and brand independence remains central to the discussion. Additionally, extending this system to a European level is still under consideration.
A Step Towards Healthier Eating?
Is making Nutri-Score mandatory the panacea for improving the dietary habits of the French population? While the system certainly has room for improvement, particularly concerning certain ultra-processed foods, its widespread implementation appears to promise positive changes in eating behaviors. There is wide consensus among health experts that information is our most potent weapon against obesity and diet-related diseases.
The urgency of this initiative is especially apparent given the alarming statistics on obesity and cardiovascular diseases in France, responsible for nearly 140,000 deaths annually, ranking as the second leading cause of mortality in the country.
If mandating labels on all food products could prevent millions of cases of avoidable diseases, justifying inaction in the face of this public health issue becomes increasingly difficult.
IMPORTANT NOTE
Research from the OECD suggests that adopting Nutri-Score across the 27 European countries could avert nearly 2 million cases of non-communicable diseases by 2050. This measure could also reduce healthcare costs by 0.05% annually and enhance employment and productivity, yielding an increase of 10.6 full-time equivalents for every 100,000 working-age individuals.
