None of the food labels intended to change consumer behavior would be effective, according to the new publications from the National Health Security Agency (ASNES).
The implementation of such nutritional labeling, to better inform consumers, is provided for by the Health Act, passed in December 2015, in application of European regulations.
The National Health Security Agency (ANSES) sought to analyze the impact on the consumer in terms of nutrition of nutritional information systems (NIS). “INS are visual forms (logos, colors, graphics, etc.) offering consumers synthetic nutritional information on the front of packaging, in addition to the mandatory declaration appearing since December 2016 on the back of all pre-packaged products. packed, ”recalls ANSES.
ANSES also wanted to determine whether this labeling was effective in reducing chronic diseases (obesity, diabetes, etc.). The institution’s experts analyzed the 5 simplified nutritional labeling systems being evaluated after an experimentation phase in real purchasing conditions. Different systems, “nutri-repères”, “nutri-couleurs”, “nutri-score” (5C), “Health Star Rating” (HSR) and the “SENS” system were included in the Agency’s assessment.
A mixed record for food logos
The results of the investigation are inconclusive. Indeed, their study showed that, on the one hand, food logos are too restrictive and do not take into account all the parameters of a balanced diet and on the other hand, that this information remains difficult to read. Only the most motivated and informed consumers will be interested in and follow them.
“Given the challenges expected from the implementation of an INS, ANSES insists on the need for regular monitoring and evaluation of the impacts of the labeling system that will be retained”.
Nutritional labeling: nutritional relevance not demonstrated with regard to public health issues https://t.co/OsE0MpqWdJ
– Anses Agency (@Anses_fr) February 15, 2017
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