The NutriScore nutrition labeling system, on the food package front, garners full marks from the IARC(International Agency for the Research on Cancer) and also from citizens in Spain, the global home of olive production.
Two studies, published in September 2021, validate the scientific basis of this informational approach and its effectiveness in promoting consumption choices consistent with the requirements of healthy nutrition. When they are, indeed, olive oils.
‘A clear and simple nutrition label that assesses the nutritional quality of food products is an effective tool to guide consumers toward healthier food choices‘ (IARC, Evidence Science Brief. See note 1)
IARC, Nutri-Score promoted with flying colors
On 1.9.21, IARC, the International Agency for Research on Cancer, published a brief review of the available scientific evidence on the differentFOP (Front of Pack) nutrition labeling systems adopted to date in various European countries.
The primary function of these summary information systems is to help consumers choose foods with nutritional profiles that are as balanced as possible, within each product category.
Epidemiological and behavioral studies published to date, according to IARC, show:
– the need for these tools to mitigate the prevalence of serious and chronic diseases(Non-Communicable Diseases, NCDs) related to poor diet,
– the superiority of the Nutri-Score over other FOP labeling systems, which is therefore recommended ‘in Europe and beyond‘ (1,2).
NutriScore, vegetable oils compared
The study published today in the scientific journal Foods in turn disproves the most famous theorem drawn up by opponents of the NutriScore, according to which the letter C (yellow color, the best in the oils and fats category) attributed to extra virgin olive oil would cause serious harm to its consumption choices.
Indeed, Ferrero and his allies, Coldiretti in the lead, assert the sacrilege of the olive supply chain. (3) Nothing could be more false. (4)
Common sense would be enough to understand the absurdity of the comparison between extra virgin olive oil and Coca-Cola Zero. The sweetened drink logically scores more favorably than those drinks with 40 g of sugar per serving, in the face of the ongoing diabetes epidemic. (5) But it never occurred to anyone to dress a salad or pasta dish with a Coke.
The researchers, for all intents and purposes, compared olive oil with other vegetable oils and seasonings, including those already incorporated into processed foods. For the specific purpose of evaluating the effectiveness of the Nutriscore labeling system with regard to fat matrices as well. Through a consumer survey right in Spain, a planetary leader in the production of olive oils that everywhere recur in its cuisines and traditions. (6)
Nutri-Score on olive oil? Green light from Spanish citizens
The research conducted by the Universities of Paris and Bobigny, Madrid and Reus involved 486 adult Spanish consumers (average age 45.8 years + 14, 48.6 percent female). Who do not appear to be at all confused about the prerogatives of different vegetable oils, nor by the Nutri-Score scores given to them. Indeed:
– nearly 80 percent of participants stated the usefulness of the Nutri-Score in understanding the differences in nutritional quality among the 8 types of fats added to processed foods,
– 89.1% correctly identified olive oil as the best among added fats, nutritionally speaking. Only 4.1% favored canola oil (Nutri-Score C), less than 3% other added fats (Nutri-Score D or E),
– 86.2 percent of participants chose olive oil as the added fat they would buy most frequently,
– 71.4% , after reading that olive oil has a Nutri-Score C score, said they would continue to consume it as before,
– almost 78% of participants said that the Nutri-Score should also be displayed on olive oil. (6)
Dario Dongo
Notes
(1) IARC, International Agency for the Research on Cancer (2021). The Nutri-Score: A Science-Based Front-of-Pack Nutrition Label. Evidence Summary Brief. Press release 1.9.21, https://www.iarc.who.int/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/pr301_E.pdf
(2) Dario Dongo. NutriScore and nutrient profiles, updates from Brussels. GIFT (Great Italian Food Trade). 10.5.21, https://www.greatitalianfoodtrade.it/etichette/nutriscore-e-profili-nutrizionali-aggiornamenti-da-bruxelles
(3) Dario Dongo. NutriScore, Ferrero and Coldiretti against all. GIFT (Great Italian Food Trade). 7/13/21, https://www.greatitalianfoodtrade.it/etichette/nutriscore-ferrero-e-coldiretti-contro-tutti
(4) Misunderstandings and fake news about Nutri-Score. How to try to destabilize a disturbing public health tool…? The Nutriscore blog. 4/21/19, https://nutriscore.blog/2019/04/21/misunderstandings-and-fake-news-about-nutri-score-how-to-try-to-destabilize-a-disturbing-public-health-tool/
(5) Dario Dongo. Semaphores in labels and diabetes in cans. How much sugar in drinks? GIFT (Great Italian Food Trade). 3.5.17, https://www.greatitalianfoodtrade.it/etichette/semafori-in-etichetta-e-diabete-in-lattina-quanto-zucchero-nelle-bevande
(6) Morgane Fialon, Jordi Salas-Salvadó, Nancy Babio, Mathilde Touvier, Serge Hercberg, Pilar Galan. (2021). Is FOP Nutrition Label Nutri-Score Well Understood by Consumers When Comparing the Nutritional Quality of Added Fats, and Does It Negatively Impact the Image of Olive Oil? Foods 2021, 10(9), 2209; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods10092209
Dario Dongo, lawyer and journalist, PhD in international food law, founder of WIISE (FARE - GIFT - Food Times) and Égalité.
