According to a study, the Nutri-Score does have an impact on production because, to obtain a good score, manufacturers would limit sugar and fat and favor fiber.
- French crisps, popcorn and cereals are said to be better for your health than the same products in Italy or the United Kingdom.
- According to the authors of a new study, this is due to the Nutri-Score which pushes manufacturers to pay attention to the ingredients they put in their products.
- Since the implementation of Nutri-Score, products have improved over the years, according to scientists.
Consumers are paying more and more attention to it… And manufacturers too! According to a new study published in the journal European Review of Agricultural Economicsthe Nutri-Score pushes manufacturers to opt for better ingredients and therefore higher nutritional quality of their products.
Less sugar, salt and more fiber in French products
To measure the impact of the Nutri-Score, scientists studied different ultra-processed French products – such as crisps, popcorn or cereals – and compared them to those marketed in the United Kingdom or Italy. In these two countries, the Nutri-Score is not applied. Thus, in comparison, the composition of the three French products studied by the researchers is better for health.
“Compared to other countries, there is a reduction in sugar, salt and saturated fatty acids in Franceexplains Chantal Julia, professor of nutrition at Sorbonne Paris-Nord University, to France Inter. There has also been an increase in the proportion of fiber or protein in these products. This suggests that it is linked to the introduction of Nutri-Score.“
A more severe Nutri-Score in the years to come
Another observation: product ratings have improved since the implementation of the Nutri-Score in 2017, further proof of the taking into account of this factor by manufacturers and the overall improvement in the overall food supply.
A trend that is expected to accelerate in the years to come. From April 2024, manufacturers and distributors will have two years to apply the new Nutri-Score and update their packaging. This should be more severe with foods containing too much sugar (-15 points compared to 10 in the current Nutri-Score) and salt (-20 points compared to 10) but will place greater value on those rich in fiber and protein, except for those from red meat, the consumption of which should be limited due to the risk colorectal cancer.
