AH pleads for Nutri-score

Starting this summer, online customers will find the Nutri-Score logo on all Albert Heijn private label products in the ah.nl webshop. Albert Heijn no longer waits for the government to decide on a food choice logo, but goes to work itself to help consumers make the healthy choice.

Albert Heijn began last year by driving the introduction of Nutri Score in the Netherlands after positive experiences from sister company Delhaize in Belgium. Other parties, including the Centraal Bureau Levensmiddelenhandel, also expressed a preference for Nutri-score. In November 2018, Albert Heijn therefore submitted a request to the State Secretary of Health, Welfare and Sport for approval of Nutri-score.

Support for this French food choice logo is now growing, and the supermarket is keen to play its part in building it. That is why all own-brand products on ah.nl will receive the logo after the summer. Albert Heijn then wants to start with in-store product categories in which customers would like to be helped with a health logo such as dairy and breakfast products. Albert Heijn shares experiences with the parties involved in order to achieve the best results together.

Anita Scholte op Reimer, head of quality and sustainability at Albert Heijn: 'Since the abolition of the tick, a clear food choice logo has been missing that helps customers when they are at the shelf. Albert Heijn has looked at various systems and is in favour of the French Nutri-score. This logo informs customers about the nutritional values of the product in a thorough, clear and complete manner at a glance. It would be great if Nutri Score were to be embraced by the government, the business community and other organisations involved, so that it would be much easier for all consumers in the Netherlands to make a healthy choice'.

Albert Heijn fills some five million plates in the Netherlands every day and wants to help customers make a healthier choice. The supermarket does this by offering a wide range of fresh products, by continuously improving recipes by reducing sugar, salt and saturated fat, by providing information about healthier choices and by offering inspiration for a more active lifestyle.