On March 30, 2023, the NutriScore Steering Committee (in which the governments of Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Spain, and Switzerland participate) approved an update to the beverage algorithm. (1)
This completes the update of #NutriScore nutrition profiles that began with the algorithm changes, approved on July 26, 2022, for solid foods. (2) So as to ensure its best adherence to nutritional recommendations.
1) NutriScore and nutritional recommendations related to beverage consumption, premise
The beverage category -in line with the food category system adopted by Codex Alimentarius for classifying food additives-now includes plant-based beverages, but also milk, milk-based beverages, and fermented milk-based beverages. So as to specify the terms of comparison, which are also (and not only) relevant for added sugars and the Glycemic Index. (3)
The NutriScore Scientific Committee also reviewed the scientific literature on the relationship between the consumption ofnon-nutritive sweeteners (NNS) and unfavorable health outcomes. As noted, with regard to their impact on the microbiota and possible correlations with cardiovascular disease and premature mortality, which among other things add to the so-called ‘paradox effect’ (4,5,6).
2) NutriScore algorithm for beverages, update.
The NutriScore algorithm for beverages is thus subjected to scientifically based updating, taking into account the most recent food-based dietary guidelines and scientific literature, so as to:
- Carefully distinguish high-sugar milk and yogurt drinks, which, as our market survey also shows, have problematic nutritional profiles, (7)
- add a penalty for the presence of sweeteners in beverages, for better adherence between the NutriScore classification of sugar-sweetened beverages and public health recommendations.
3) Water, juices, and other drinks
Water remains the only beverage classified in NutriScore class A. The algorithm for fruit juices is all other beverages-including those that are naturally low-calorie-remains unchanged, with NutriScore scores and ratings ranging between categories B and E, depending on nutritional profiles.
Cocoa, coffee and chicory powder are submitted to the NutriScore algorithm for beverages when their nutrition declaration (per 100g/mL) is referred to the ready-to-drink product after reconstitution with milk or water. As indeed should be the case where products are presented for that purpose.
4) Application implications
The changes to the algorithm proposed by the Scientific Committee, explains Professor Serge Hercberg, involve changes in the classifications of certain beverage groups and allow products to be better distinguished by their nutritional composition.
4.1) Milk and milk-based beverages.
Skim and part-skim milks fall into the most favorable NutriScore classes for beverages (after water). Thus, it is possible to differentiate milk types according to their fat content, as well as with respect to sweetened milk drinks.
Skim and part-skim cow’s milk are mostly classified in NutriScore class B, whole milk in C. Whole milk from other species may have a different nutritional profile (richer in saturated fatty acids) and score lower.
Sweetened milk beverages (flavored milks) will no longer appear in Nutri-Score A or B classes, as was the case until now. The new algorithm for beverages will place the low-sugar ones in C, the others in D and E.
The same applies to fermented milk beverages (including sweetened and flavored yogurt beverages), which in turn will no longer be classified as A, but rather differentiated by sugar content between NutriScore classes C and E.
4.2) Other drinks
The increasingly popular plant-based beverages (e.g., soy, almonds, oats, rice) will no longer be classified as NutriScore A, as is now the case. Instead, they will be distributed among B and E classes, based on their nutritional profiles.
Sugar-sweetened beverages with very limited amounts of sugar (<2 g/100mL) will be moved to NutriScore class B, while those with high amounts of sugar will be kept in D/E, so as to facilitate their distinction by sugar content.
5) Interim Conclusions
Updating the NutriScore algorithm for the beverage category, like the one already performed for solid foods, allows for better alignment between nutritional recommendations and the information offered by the NutriScore.
European citizens and consumers can already receive NutriScore’s valuable news about food nutrition profiles through various apps-from the highly popular Yuka to OpenFoodFacts and Que Choisir (8,9)-and even earlier on the label.
6) Market outlook
Retailers and food chain operators can best express their social responsibility by applying the NutriScore on the label, which:
- offers consumers transparency of nutritional profiles on product packaging, without forcing them to use an app (or inducing them to choose other supermarkets and product lines ‘without secrets’),
- stimulates the adoption of concrete commitments to improve the nutritional profiles of food products for sale to promote population health.
7) European and national policies
The political class, at the European and EU member state level, in turn distinguishes between:
- Those who favor the backward interests of the junk-food industry. Italy in first place, (10) followed by Cyprus, Greece, Czech Republic, Latvia, Hungary. A Brancaleone army joined by Romania, which has even banned the use of NutriScore on labels, effective May 1, 2023. (11) In blatant contrast, ça va sans dire, to the principle of free movement of goods on which the EU is founded and the European Commission culpably neglects, (12)
- States and Politicians who instead promote the essential human right to health and well-being as a priority over the junk-food business and ensure informed consumption choices for citizens. Through the standard ofFOPNL (Front-of-Pack Nutrition Labeling) identified as the best available by the medical-scientific community. The NutriScore precisely, also officially recognized by the Netherlands as the benchmark FOPNL, starting January 1, 2024 (13,14).
Dario Dongo
Notes
(1) Update of the Nutri-Score algorithm for beverages. Second update report from the Scientific Committee of the Nutri-Score V2-2023. https://www.santepubliquefrance.fr/determinants-de-sante/nutrition-et-activite-physique/documents/rapport-synthese/update-of-the-nutri-score-algorithm-for-beverages.-second-update-report-from-the-scientific-committee-of-the-nutri-score-v2-2023 24.4.23
(2) Dario Dongo. NutriScore, evolution of the science-based algorithm. GIFT (Great Italian Food Trade). 1.8.22
(3) Marta Strinati. Vegetable beverages, 330 products compared with milk. Scientific study. GIFT (Great Italian Food Trade). 5.6.20
(4) Dario Dongo, Camilla Fincardi. Intensive sweeteners, microbiome, and health risks. Scientific study. GIFT (Great Italian Food Trade). 1.3.20
(5) Marta Strinati. Artificial sweeteners increase cardiovascular risk. GIFT (Great Italian Food Trade). 7.2.23
(6) Marta Strinati. Zero-calorie sweeteners, paradox effect. GIFT (Great Italian Food Trade). 22.4.18
(7) Marta Strinati. Frùttolo and other milk snacks, 10 products compared. GIFT (Great Italian Food Trade). 25.9.21
(8) Marta Strinati. Yuka stimulates food reformulation and works oneco-score. GIFT (Great Italian Food Trade). 16.8.22
(9) Dario Dongo. NutriScore, full marks to local products. And food quality improves. GIFT (Great Italian Food Trade). 14.4.23
(10) Dario Dongo. NutriScore professor Serge Hercberg corrects Italian minister’s fake news. GIFT (Great Italian Food Trade). 8.3.23
(11) Anda Simion. România, printre ţările din UE care se opun etichetelor alimentare Nutri-Score. https://www.gds.ro/Sanatate/2023-03-13/romania-printre-tarile-din-ue-care-se-opun-etichetelor-alimentare-nutri-score/?amp Gazeta de Sud. 13.3.23
(12) Dongo, D. Front-of-Pack Nutrition Labeling – Legitimacy of Using the Nutri-Score System in EU Member States. https://effl.lexxion.eu/article/EFFL/2022/4/7 European Food and Feed Law Review, Volume 17, Issue 4 (2022), pp. 316 – 324
(13) Marta Strinati. EU public health, EUPHA, points to NutriScore as the best option for FoPNL. GIFT (Great Italian Food Trade). 20.3.23
(14) Babs Van der Staak. Succes Consumentenbond: Nutri-Score hét officiële voedselkeuzelogo in Nederland. https://www.consumentenbond.nl/nieuws/2023/succes-consumentenbond-nutri-score-het-officiele-voedselkeuzelogo-in-nederland Consumenten bond. 25.4.23
Dario Dongo, lawyer and journalist, PhD in international food law, founder of WIISE (FARE - GIFT - Food Times) and Égalité.
