Nutri-Score and product prices: better nutritional quality does not necessarily mean higher costs for consumers

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Published on 19 March 2026

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Launched in France in 2017, Nutri-Score is a government-backed nutrition labeling system. Displayed on the front of food packaging, this logo has two objectives: first, to better inform consumers about the nutritional quality of the products they buy so they can make informed health choices; and second, to encourage manufacturers to improve the nutritional quality of their products.

Through various studies, Santé publique France has repeatedly identified a question—or even a preconception—among consumers: that products with high scores (A and B) are sold at a higher price than those with lower scores (D or E). This perception could potentially limit their use of the logo.

Santé publique France therefore conducted, in partnership with the National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food, and the Environment (INRAE), the first study evaluating the link between Nutri-Score and product prices. This research reveals a disconnect between consumer perception and market reality.

Debunking a common misconception: a product with a higher Nutri-Score isn’t necessarily more expensive than one with a lower score

The qualitative study “Perception, Understanding, and Use of Nutri-Score with the Aim of Providing Information on Changes to Its Algorithm,” conducted by Santé publique France in 2023, revealed that a product with a high Nutri-Score was perceived as potentially more expensive than a product with a lower Nutri-Score.

However, no data or studies on this topic existed in the literature, making it impossible to assess whether this perception was empirically verified. Santé publique France therefore conducted a study to examine whether there was a relationship between Nutri-Score and product prices within the French market.

The study, conducted in partnership with INRAE, drew on a database (supplied by several e-commerce sites of French retailers), from which data was extracted for the period from January 2020 to December 2023. In total, 27,955 products classified into 22 food categories and subcategories—including brands participating in the Nutri-Score program and those that do not—were included in the analysis.

The study’s results show that:

The observed relationships between Nutri-Score and price vary depending on the product categories and subcategories considered. In other words, sometimes the price increases as the Nutri-Score worsens, and sometimes the price decreases as the Nutri-Score worsens.
Thus, it can be stated that products with a higher Nutri-Score are not necessarily more expensive than those with a lower Nutri-Score. For example, this is the case for the yogurt and pasta sauce categories, where products with a Nutri-Score of A or B are cheaper than those rated D or E:
- Yogurts: flavored and fruit yogurts, vanilla yogurts, cottage cheese, yogurts made from milks other than cow’s milk.
- Pasta sauces: pesto and vegetarian sauces.
Another finding: in certain product categories, no significant association between Nutri-Score and price is evident. For example, in the sandwich bread and pizza categories (except those containing meat), there is no price difference based on Nutri-Score.
Furthermore, products sold by brands not participating in the Nutri-Score initiative are, in most cases, more expensive than those from brands whose products display the logo. This finding can potentially be explained by the widespread participation of private-label brands in the Nutri-Score initiative, which generally offer lower prices than national brands.

"Nutrition is a major determinant of health. There is a proven link between diet and the onset of certain serious chronic diseases such as obesity, metabolic disorders, cardiovascular diseases, and certain cancers. In France, 47% of the population is overweight and 17% is obese. We know that consuming certain foods or nutrients—such as fiber, vegetables, or fruits—has protective effects, while excessive consumption of alcohol, salt, processed foods, red meat, or deli meats, for example, constitutes risk factors.

These scientific findings show that it is essential to continue collective efforts toward healthy and sustainable eating. Among the challenges: promoting the adoption of Nutri-Score to improve the nutritional quality of all consumers’ shopping baskets and, ultimately, their health.

Indeed, Nutri-Score allows consumers to easily identify products of higher nutritional quality, which may, in some cases, be the least expensive alternatives. It is important that this reality be known to everyone, and particularly to households with lower purchasing power."

Dr. Caroline Semaille, Executive Director of Santé publique France

Nutri-Score: Key Statistics

More than 150 international publications demonstrate the effectiveness of Nutri-Score (in guiding consumers, improving the nutritional quality of products, etc.).
99% of French people are familiar with Nutri-Score.
For more than 9 out of 10 French people, the logo serves as a guide to a product’s nutritional quality1.
A logo considered when making food purchases by 68% of people who are familiar with Nutri-Score².
As of January 2026, more than 1,500 companies and brands use Nutri-Score. This represents over 60% of the food market (in terms of sales volume).
Seven countries in Europe use Nutri-Score: France, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg.