Nutrition scientists: delay introduction of Nutri-Score

Nutrition scientists call on state secretary Van Ooijen of Health, Welfare and Sport to wait with the introduction of Nutri-Score until the recommendations of the Health Council have been followed and Nutri-Score is in line with the National Approach to Product Improvement (NAPV).

On 26 July 2022, the International Scientific Committee (IWC) presented the recommendations that will bring the Nutri-Score algorithm more in line with the dietary guidelines of Belgium, Germany, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Spain and Switzerland (the COEN countries). Those recommendations lead to an improvement of the algorithm. This is particularly evident in the score allocation for products that fall outside the Five Basic Foodgroups, such as biscuits, sweets, crisps, sauces and salts. The Health Council indicates that the modified Nutri-Score algorithm is less compatible for products included in those foodgroups.

The action perspective offered by Nutri-Score remains confusing as long as many products outside the basic foodgroups are unintentionally given a green score. And also if many products within the five foodgroups are given a yellow, orange or red score. Thus, Nutri-Score can lead to less healthy eating behaviour and distrust in food information. We also see in neighbouring countries that products are modified to get a better score. An example: the breakfast product 'chocolate balls', went from a Nutri-Score C to a Nutri-Score A, even though after modification it does not fit in the Five Basic Foodgroups due to the amount of sugar and salt. This kind of 'product improvement' can undesirably increase the mismatch between green Nutri-Scores and the Five Basic Foodgroups.

Behaviour change and product improvement

Encouraging consumers to buy products with less salt, sugar or saturated fat is very difficult because it requires behavioural change. In addition, few consumers are guided by logos. In scientific literature, we see more results when the product range is improved. Hence the importance of a structural approach to product improvement, such as the NAPV. By gradually reducing the amount of sugar, salt and saturated fat in products, consumers with the same consumption pattern would ingest less of them. Currently, Nutri-Score is not connected to the NAPV. At the same time, Nutri-Score's algorithm leaves room to compensate for sugar and salt. As long as a proper connection of green Nutri-Scores to the Disk of Five is missing, it is questionable whether Nutri-Score helps to make the supply in supermarkets healthier. 

View the 'Call to VWS state secretary Van Ooijen' from VoedingsJungle.