News 18.09.2025

Why did Nutri-Score vanish from the agenda?

  • Traffic light labels

The EU promised a front of pack nutritional label like Nutri-Score. Then the plan disappeared. The Commission refuses to release the documents explaining why—even after being called out for maladministration. That’s why why foodwatch is joining forces with Access Info to take the Commission to the EU General Court.

In 2020, the European Commission promised to deliver an EU-wide, mandatory front-of-pack nutrition label as part of its Farm to Fork Strategy. The goal was clear: help half a billion consumers make healthier choices and reduce diet-related disease. But then, without explanation, the proposal vanished.

Since 2023, foodwatch has been asking the Commission for the key documents explaining this U-turn: the Impact Assessment, the Regulatory Scrutiny Board opinion, and the minutes of relevant meetings. The Commission refused to disclose them. The European Ombudsman later ruled this refusal amounted to maladministration. Still, nearly three years later, no documents have been released.

Taking the case to court

That’s why foodwatch is escalating. Our partner organisation Access Info has brought an action before the General Court of the European Union, challenging the Commission’s refusal. foodwatch, which broke the story, is intervening to support the case.

Because these are legislative files—and EU law is crystal clear: such documents must be transparent. Citizens cannot be shut out of decisions that shape their daily choices.

Why Nutri-Score matters

Nutri-Score is backed by WHO Europe and numerous independent scientists. It is already supported voluntarily in six EU countries—France, Germany, Luxembourg, Belgium, Spain, the Netherlands—and Switzerland. 

But without an EU-wide mandatory system, implementation is patchy and inconsistent. Consumers get mixed signals and food companies face no real incentive to reformulate unhealthy recipes.

So why was the legislation abandoned? Was it really not ready—or was it the lobbying power of a food industry with vested interests? Transparency is the first step to finding out.

Public health at stake

Winning access to these documents would do more than clarify what happened to Nutri-Score. It would set an important precedent for openness the next time powerful interests try to water down health legislation behind closed doors.

Why has the EU Commission silently buried its plan to present a Europe-wide nutrition label as planned in the Farm to Fork strategy? What influence does the food lobby have? We want to have these questions answered. Half a billion European consumers have the right to know at a glance what is in their food.
Suzy Sumner Head of the foodwatch Brussels Office

What’s next?

The case before the General Court is now underway. foodwatch will continue to fight for the release of the documents, to put Nutri-Score back on the EU agenda—where it belongs.

We’ll keep you updated as the case progresses. For now, one thing is clear: half a billion EU consumers deserve straight answers.

Sources and further information