Nutri-Score in the U.S.--A Game-Changer for Healthy Eating or a Recipe for Controversy?

By Julia Williams

Amid growing global concerns about healthier eating habits, the Nutri-score system emerged in 2017 as a bold, color-coded ally in helping consumers make smarter food choices at a glance. The Nutri-Score has been adopted in several European countries, notably France, Germany, Belgium, and Switzerland [2]. This new system of classifying foods based on nutritional content is revolutionizing how we make our food choices and tackle the rising issue of obesity. Scientific advancements support the additional health risks correlated with obesity and one growing public health initiative starts with the Nutri-Score. This system began with the sugar, salt, and calorie content of foods to establish a user-friendly label that can positively influence a buyer's food choices. The labels range across 5 levels of healthiness–a green A to a red E—as deemed by the British Food Standards Agency and their nutrient profiling system [2]. Per these standards, more caloric, sugary, fatty foods will be branded with an E whereas fruits, vegetables, and clean proteins will be awarded that bright, green A. Likewise, legumes and rice will be rated more favorably than breakfast cereals and bread just like milk and yogurt win over cheese.