Possible entry Nutri-Score underestimated

The Consumers' Association supports the introduction of the French food choice logo Nutri-Score in the Netherlands. The Nutri-Score shows in a simple way how (un)healthy a product is with colours (dark red to dark green) and letters (A to E). The association calls on the government to take all necessary steps to introduce the Nutri-Score in the Netherlands as well.

The disruptive effect of the Nutri-Score is not yet on the radar of many Dutch food manufacturers, according to ABN AMRO's experience. In France and Belgium, the Nutri-Score has already been introduced and the logo is prominently displayed on the packaging. In France, this has led to a change in purchasing behaviour. Manufacturers responded by making their products healthier so that they have a better colour code than the competitor's products.

Food logos from various countries are currently competing in Europe for a place on the front of the packaging. In the Netherlands, there must be an alternative by 2020 to the system of green and blue check marks, which consumers perceive as unclear, as agreed in the National Prevention Agreement.

With the support of the Consumers' Association, the Nutri-Score seems to have good documents. With the Netherlands on board, the European 'market power' of the Nutri-Score will increase, so that manufacturers will no longer be able to ignore the food choice logo and its effects. After all, most food manufacturers produce and supply internationally. The Dutch Food Industry Federation (Federatie Nederlandse Levensmiddelen Industrie) is asking the government for clarity so that manufacturers will not have to change their logo all the time.

The Nutri-Score gives an opinion per 100 grams/100 ml of product. This is a nuisance, because nobody eats 100 grams of ketchup or drinks 100 ml of cola. But a major plus is that the Nutri-Score can be read reasonably intuitively by the consumer. On the website of supermarket chain Colruyt Belgium manufacturers can calculate the effect of a healthier product composition on the Nutri-Score.

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