“Nutrition is a major determinant of health, for overweight, obesity and diabetes in particular, but also certain cancers and cardiovascular diseases. Today, we are taking a major step: for the first time, interest of a nutritional logo and the effectiveness of the Nutri-score logo have been demonstrated “, declared the Minister of Social Affairs and Health, Marisol Touraine, announcing the imminent arrival of this nutritional logo on agri-food products.
Originally, manufacturers protested against this 5-color logo intended to help consumers choose products that are less sweet, less fatty, in short, better for their health. They therefore demanded a study in real purchasing conditions.
A logo tested for 10 weeks in supermarkets
60 supermarkets located in 4 regions of France therefore participated for 10 weeks in the comparative evaluation of the 4 simplified nutritional labeling systems, under real purchasing conditions.
The Minister has just received the results: they demonstrate the effectiveness of the Nutri-score logo (also called “5 C” for 5 colors) compared to other labeling systems. “This advantage of Nutri-score is even more marked when we specifically observe the behavior of consumers who buy the cheapest products” adds the Minister, welcoming the impact on the consumer.
“The first question was whether or not simplified nutrition labeling systems were likely to lead to changes in consumer purchasing behavior. The answer is clearly yes.”.
However, the device will be optional, as European regulations do not allow it to be made compulsory. The Minister is counting on consumer pressure for manufacturers to affix it to their products.
The overweight figures
• 15% of French people, or nearly 7 million adults, are obese
• One third of adults are overweight
• Overweight affects 7.2% of children of managers against 15.6% for those of workers (2.2 times more) and obesity affects 1.3% of children of managers against 5.8% of workers (4.5 times more).
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