NutriScore-the most widely used front-of-pack nutrition labeling system in Europe-may soon be supplemented with a signal designed to distinguish ultra-processed foods.
Consumers will thus have one more tool-the black background of the logo, with the words ‘ultra-processed‘-to identify the most health-critical products. Without further delay, for everyone’s sake.
Nutri-Score, the winning scheme
The Nutri-Score systemis universally recognized as the most effective in helping consumers choose foods with the most balanced nutritional profiles. Due to its science-based evaluative approach, which is expressed in a simple logo with a scale of 5 values (A to E) to which 5 colors (green to vermilion) correspond. (1)
Apps that rate foods using the Nutri-Score-such as OpenFoodFacts and Yuka-are in turn finding success that exceeds all expectations, as it turns out. Triggering a virtuous cycle that in turn stimulates industries and mass retailers to improve food recipes to meet the demand for healthy foods. (2)
NutriScore + NOVA + organic
The revolution is to integrate the system NutriScore with NOVA, the classification of foods into four categories based on their level of processing (unprocessed or minimally processed foods, kitchen ingredients, processed foods, ultra-processed) developed by Prof. Carlos A. Monteiro (University of São Paulo, Brazil) and recognized by the FAO itself (2019). As well as including, in that same field of view, the indication ‘
organic
‘ for products so certified. (3)
Serge Hercberg-a professor emeritus of nutrition at Sorbonne University and head of the EREN(Nutritional Epidemiology Research Team) in Paris, as well as the creator of NutriScore-has therefore proposed adding a black border around his logo, with the words ‘ultra-processed. Noting, in an interview with Olive Oil Times, the need to keep the evaluation parameters separate, precisely because of their independence. Ultraprocessed foods, although worthy of attention, may in fact have acceptable nutritional profiles. And minimally processed foods, conversely, may have poor nutritional properties. One size does not fit all.
Fig. 1 – Example of application of the NOVA system on Nutri-Score, compared with the conventional Nutri-Score.
NutriScore, the italic battle.
The Italic battle against NutriScore continues in disarray. Ferrero behind the scenes in a clumsy attempt to conceal the record high sugar and saturated fat levels in its obesogenic products. At the forefront in Brussels are supporters of lobbyists who also serve the tobacco industry, such as Luciano Stella of Must and Pietro Paganini of Competere. (4)
Fig. 2 – Example of the application of NutriScore to some Ferrero products.
Instead, the Roman inquisition was entrusted by the Antitrust, at the political behest of Coldiretti through government of the day and complaints from Confagricoltura (see PS Notice 12185 in AGCM Bulletin 22.11.21). Inquisited for heresy are both the adventitious people who first adhered to the NutriScore standard and applied its collective label in Italy, and the managers of the Yuka app. (5)
Motions to ‘protect’ Italian agri-food products and the Mediterranean diet had already been submitted to the Senate in Rome. Minister Stefano Patuanelli had also let slip a comment in part in favor of the NutriScore, as it was intuitive and concise. (6) The italic dictate would remain the Nutrinform Battery although it – as opposed to
NutriScore
– penalizes olive oil over vegetable oils (see Fig. 3).
Fig. 3. Example of application of NutrInform Battery to oils. Olive oil penalized for saturated fat
European Commission and EFSA, work in progress
The European Commission aspires to introduce a harmonizedFront-of-Pack Nutrition Labeling (F OPNL) system by the end of 2022. EFSA has already submitted an outline of a scientific opinion for public consultation, where among other things the effectiveness of colors in facilitating the choice of healthier products is emphasized. (7)
One third of European countries have, moreover, already recognized the Nutri-Score as the system to be preferred for summary nutrition information, in line with the demands of consumer associations (Foodwatch, BEUC and the many others that are members) and the scientific community. The WHO and IARC in turn have spoken out in favor of NutriScore, including at Codex Alimentarius, encouraging its dissemination outside the old continent as well. (8)
TINA
There Is No Alternative.
, TINA. Obesity, overweight and related diseases(Non-Communicable Diseases, NCDs) are rampant globally-and so in Europe. Especially in countries where the Mediterranean diet was born and has been lost sight of, with increasing consumption of ultra-processed foods too often unbalanced by excess saturated fat, sugar and salt (HFSS, High in Fats, Sugar and Sodium). Childhood obesity and overweight are rampant as an epidemic, on par with type 2 diabetes whose prevalence has doubled in two decades in Italy in the 15-25 age group.
Nutrition education is often invoked as the real solution to induce populations to eat with balance. But nothing has been done-despite repeated reminders, and in spite of good intentions (9)-not even in schools. General practitioners in turn, with 1,500 to 1,800 patients each, are unable to even fulfill their essential duties.
Interim conclusions
For the sake of everyone-which everyone should care about, in a self-respecting community-there is no more time to waste. Nor are there any more excuses to oppose nutritional profiles and the NutriScore system, which today presents itself as the most effective tool to help everyone choose foods in the knowledge that those with orange-greenish codes do not suit unbridled consumption.
Health is the most valuable asset, and noncommunicable diseases remain the leading cause of premature mortality. So much so that the international scientific community has called Covid itself a secondary disease. So let’s start applying this system, and if anything, let’s think about how to refine it in the future.
Dario Dongo
Cover image from NutriScore Blog https://nutriscore.blog/2021/11/28/le-nutri-score-et-les-autres-dimensions-sante-des-aliments-informer-au-mieux-les-consommateurs/
Notes
(1) Dario Dongo and Andrea Adelmo Della Penna. How to solve the nutritional conundrum? News on the label front, review and outlook. GIFT(Great Italian Food Trade), 12/29/20, https://www.greatitalianfoodtrade.it/etichette/come-risolvere-l-enigma-nutrizionale-notizie-sul-fronte-etichetta-rassegna-e-prospettive
(2) Dario Dongo. Farm to Fork, Nutri-Score and product reformulation. GIFT(Great Italian Food Trade), 10/25/21, https://www.greatitalianfoodtrade.it/etichette/farm-to-fork-nutri-score-e-riformulazione-dei-prodotti
(3) Paolo de Andreis. Updated Nutri-Score Label Indicates Whether Food Is Processed, Organic. Olive Oil Times, 12/13/21, https://www.oliveoiltimes.com/world/updated-nutri-score-label-indicates-whether-food-is-processed-organic/102507
(4) Dario Dongo. Freedom to destroy, the ideology of palm (and oil, weapons, tobacco, GMO…) lobbyists. GIFT(Great Italian Food Trade). 6/26/17, https://www.greatitalianfoodtrade.it/idee/libertà-di-distruggere-l-ideologia-dei-lobbisti-del-palma-e-di-petrolio-armi-tabacco-ogm
(5) Dario Dongo. Nutri-Score and Yuka, Antitrust enters the fray. GIFT(Great Italian Food Trade). 11/24/21, https://www.greatitalianfoodtrade.it/idee/nutriscore-e-yuka-l-antitrust-si-butta-nella-mischia
(6) Senate of the Republic. Thursday, June 10, 2021 – 335th Public Sitting. https://www.senato.it/service/PDF/PDFServer/BGT/1299526.pdf
(7) EFSA (2021). Draft scientific opinion advising on the development of harmonized mandatory front-of-pack nutrition labeling and nutritional profiling to limit nutrition and health claims on food. https://connect.efsa.europa.eu/RM/sfc/servlet.shepherd/document/download/0691v00000gXddhAAC
(8) Dario Dongo. Codex Alimentarius, the NutriScore and the WHO guidelines. FT (Food Times). 9/29/21, https://www.greatitalianfoodtrade.it/etichette/codex-alimentarius-il-nutriscore-e-le-linee-guida-who
See also BEUC, AGCM investigations into the use of Nutri-Score on the Italian market. 20.12.21 https://www.beuc.eu/publications/beuc-x-2021-119_agcm_investigations_into_the_use_of_nutri-score_on_the_italian_market.pdf
(9) Dario Dongo, Giulia Baldelli. Health in schools, fine words in state-region agreement. FT (Food Times). 10.3.19, https://www.greatitalianfoodtrade.it/progresso/salute-a-scuola-belle-parole-in-accordo-stato-regioni
Dario Dongo, lawyer and journalist, PhD in international food law, founder of WIISE (FARE - GIFT - Food Times) and Égalité.
