Enhancement in the Nutriscore System: Continued Development for Clearer Food Labeling
In a span of five years, the Nutriscore label has graced an overwhelming 87% of products in stores, ushering in a seismic shift in consumer behavior. "If it's E, we straight-up refuse it, if it's green, we got it," quips a casual bystander. "At first, I didn't care about it much, but now I find myself checking it more and more," adds a young woman.
A glaring omission: Fewer products with improved ratings
Despite its transformative impact, however, the composition of pre-packaged meals remains strikingly stagnant. Since 2020, a mere 1 in 10 products has managed to boost its Nutriscore rating. Most of these meals continue to house added sugars, water, and at least one additive. In response to this, the National Consumer Association clamored for the Nutriscore to become compulsory on all products. A commitment made by the European Union that seems to have evaporated just two months ago.
Take a deep dive into the details in the video above.
Insights
- Fragmented Use: The EU's approach to Nutri-score has been scattershot, with some countries and retailers opting in, while others shying away. This lack of homogeneity might have swayed the EU to reconsider enforcing it universally.
- Industry Resistance: Some food manufacturers may have balked at the idea of mandatory labeling due to concerns about costs, complexity in implementing the system, and potential sales decline if their products receive less favorable scores.
- Political and Regulatory Hurdles: The EU's regulatory landscape and political factors could play a part. The European Commission's priorities and resources might have shifted, or there could be undercurrents of political pressure from various interest groups like food industry associations or national governments.
- Continued Voluntary Adoption: Despite the EU's apparent change of heart, retail giants like Albert Heijn and Carrefour have persisted with voluntary Nutri-score labeling. This suggests that while blanket enforcement might be unfeasible at the EU level, the Nutri-score scheme still retains value in certain circles of the industry.
In March 2025, reports emerged that the European Commission appears to have backtracked on its plans to enforce Nutri-score, casting doubt on the system's future as a mandatory labeling standard across all products[2].
While the popularity of Nutriscore labeling has surged in health-and-wellness-conscious consumers, contributing to a shift in food-and-drink purchasing decisions, its compulsory implementation remains uncertain. This is highlighted by the European Commission's apparent reconsideration of enforcing Nutriscore on all products, potentially leaving consumers without a universal standard for gauging the nutritional value of their food options.
Moreover, abandoning the mandatory labeling regulation could indicate resistance from the industry, particularly from food manufacturers, citing concerns over costs, complexity, and potential sales decline. Such reluctance might have contributed to the EU's shift in priorities, further complicated by political and regulatory hurdles within the European Commission.
Amidst these challenges, the enthusiasm for Nutriscore persists among retail giants like Albert Heijn and Carrefour, continuing to implement the system voluntarily. This underscores the continued importance and relevance of the Nutriscore scheme within certain sectors of the industry, even without universal enforcement at the EU level.
