EUPHA-the Association representing more than 39,000 health professionals and public sector organizations at the EU and member state levels-is urging the European Commission to urgently implement the NutriScore, which has been identified as the best front-on-pack nutrition labeling system (FoPNL). (1)
EUPHA’s reminder to the Commission.
The European Commission has pledged to propose harmonized nutrition labeling on the front of the package in May 2020 as part of the Farm to Fork strategy. (2) The deadline was given as the fourth quarter of 2020. But despite positive participation in the public consultation, it has not honored the commitment. (3)
Any delay exacerbates the severity of public health problems already evident. Half of Europe’s adult population is obese or overweight, recalls EUPHA(European Public Health Association). This increases the incidence of chronic diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and coronary artery disease.
Unhealthy diets with high consumption of nutritionally imbalanced ultra-processed foods (HFFS, high in fat, sugar and salt) are considered the fuse of so much disease. More, they are listed as the cause of 950 thousand deaths a year, especially in lower socioeconomic groups.
Prevention through FoPNL
The introduction of a harmonized, efficient and mandatory front-of-pack nutrition labeling system at the EU level is among the most effective tools to reverse the trend.
EUPHA recalls its benefits in four respects.
1 – Informing consumers with a well-designed FoPNL is an effective aid in guiding purchases toward healthier choices. The nutrition table already provided on the back of the package is not sufficient, as is evident. Conversely, a pattern of immediate understanding achieves the goal. The success of the Yuka app, even in Italy, confirms the thesis. (4)
2 – A harmonized FoPNL will allow economic operators to compete on an equal footing. The voluntariness of the front-on-pack label causes confusion. Today there are seven national recommended schemes in 14 member countries. And some manufacturers adopt the label only on some products, the healthiest ones.
3 – Member states can only recommend FoPNL, but not make it mandatory. In fact, they are deprived of an important health policy tool.
4 – A harmonized and mandatory FoPNL system meets the tasks of the European Union. That is, to promote the proper functioning of the internal market and ensure a high level of consumer and health protection.
EUPHA promotes only NutriScore
In its statement, EUPHA considers Nutri-Score to be the best and only viable option for the rapid implementation of a harmonized nutrition logo at the European level.
The reasons for the choice derive from the outcome of the Commission’s Joint Research Center analysis, which in turn was based on literature reporting on consumer preferences. (5)
Of the four types of labels considered, in fact, NutriScore was the most effective, compared to the others (Keyhole, Multiple Traffic Light, Nutrinform), because it was simple, graded, and color-coded. It has been well understood by consumers and has been widely validated and prospectively associated with positive health outcomes.
‘Although no scheme can ever be called “perfect” for all stakeholders, the evidence gathered and its adoption by a growing number of member states make NutriScore the only viable option,’ EUPHA concludes.
Spreading fake news, as in the Twitter post by Italian Agriculture Minister Lollobrigida, only serves to lower the comparison to embarrassing levels. (6)
Marta Strinati
Notes
Statement on front-of-pack nutrition labelling in the European Union. EUPHA. 15.3.23 https://eupha.org/repository/advocacy/2023%20FoPNL%
(2) Dario Dongo, Marina De Nobili. Farm to Fork special, the strategy presented in Brussels on 5/20/20. GIFT (Great Italian Food Trade). 24.5.20
(3) Dario Dongo. Reform reg. EU 1169/11, public consultation. GIFT (Great Italian Food Trade). 16.1.22
(4) Marta Strinati, Dario Dongo. Yuka, if you know it spread it. App conquers 2 million Italians in just one year. GIFT (Great Italian Food Trade). 30.9.21
(5) Dario Dongo, Andrea Adelmo Della Penna. European Commission, research confirms NutriScore approach. GIFT (Great Italian Food Trade). 14.9.22
(6) Dario Dongo. NutriScore professor Serge Hercberg corrects Italian minister’s fake news. GIFT (Great Italian Food Trade). 8.3.23
Professional journalist since January 1995, he has worked for newspapers (Il Messaggero, Paese Sera, La Stampa) and periodicals (NumeroUno, Il Salvagente). She is the author of journalistic surveys on food, she has published the book "Reading labels to know what we eat".
