Nutri-Score is alive and kicking!
- Traffic light labels
Despite political roadblocks, momentum is growing. Supermarkets, governments, and consumers are pushing for clear food labelling—and they won’t wait.
The text was sent out on 13/03/2025 via newsletter by Suzy Sumner, Head of the Brussels Office.
Suzy Sumner, Head of the Brussels Office
What a week for Nutri-Score! On Saturday, March 1st, a major Radio France investigation put the spotlight on our ongoing detective work, uncovering why the European Commission failed to propose a mandatory, harmonised front-of-pack label in 2022. Since then, Nutri-Score has been making waves across Europe, dominating headlines and stirring up debate.
So, what’s been happening? Here’s our A-E rundown of the latest developments in the fight for transparent food labeling! In reverse order:
E: Big food and Italian government celebrate blocking a health label to 440 million citizens – But at what cost?
Nutri-Score opponents are celebrating. Italian politicians boast about their “victory,” and behind-the-scenes deals between Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Commission President Ursula von der Leyen seem to have sealed the fate of front-of-pack nutrition labeling in the EU.
A document obtained by foodwatch confirmed that the proposal the Commission was going to release in December 2022 was closely aligned to Nutri-Score but not actually Nutri-Score. Yet pressure from Big Food and the Italian government killed the plan entirely. Now, no label will be proposed for at least five years.
The irony? The 2022 proposal was a compromise. Instead of any progress, we've lost crucial time in tackling obesity and chronic diseases. Rather than making an independent choice in the interest of European citizens, the Commission appears to have prioritised the demands of the “Made in Italy” industry. The only real solution left: roll out Nutri-Score, a proven and effective tool.
D: Even France pressured by the big food lobby
The Nutri-Score started in France and is trusted by consumers. But a crucial decree to update its algorithm has been stalled for over a year. The big food lobby do not like the changes and seem to have the minister for agriculture, Annie Genevard on their side. In a statement to the Senate she quotes almost word for word the arguments of the dairy and processed meat lobby, instead of looking at the science and public health. Join foodwatch France in demanding Minister Genevard sign the decree and put public health before industry profits.
C: European Commission left speechless
At the Commission press briefing on 28 February 2025, Nutri-Score took center stage in an unusually awkward way. A spokesperson insisted the Commission remains committed to transparent consumer information and informed choices but failed to explain how—nor confirm support for Nutri-Score as the most consumer-friendly label. The spokesperson seemed visibly uncomfortable, especially since Front-of-Pack Nutrition Labelling (FOPNL) is absent from both the Commission’s work programme and Agri vision.
There is clearly something to hide. Since 2022 the Commission has delayed its proposal, citing ongoing impact assessments. foodwatch has been trying to get hold of the documents to prove this, but despite the Ombudsman saying the Commission is in maladministration, the documents are still denied.
B: Member States not waiting
The message is clear: do not rely on this Commission to protect public health by introducing a FOPNL. This is the clarity that Member States needed to take back the baton and help their citizens make healthier food choices.
We hear that the new Austrian government has Nutri-Score in it's coalition agreement. Radio France reveals that Finland and Saudi Arabia are wanting to adopt it, and it seems that Estonia has become an observer to the Nutri-Score steering group which is a first step. It would be good to see others step up now too.
A: Consumer transparency – what if we just put Nutri-Score on the shelf for every product anyway!
Last Tuesday Albert Heijn announced that it will make Nutri-Score visible on all products in stores and online – a huge step forward for consumers looking for clear, science-based food choices. This follows Carrefour France and Leclerc who also recently announced to extend the use of the Nutri-Score to all food products, asking suppliers to publish their nutritional data on their website.
Despite political roadblocks, momentum is growing. Supermarkets, governments, and consumers are pushing for clear food labelling—and they won’t wait. At foodwatch, we’ll keep fighting for a mandatory Nutri-Score across the EU, because knowing what’s in our food should never be up for debate!