Nutri-Score

European Regulation No. 1169/2011, also known as the INCO Regulation, establishes rules regarding the provision of food information to consumers, enabling the final consumer to access basic information such as the nutrition facts panel or the list of ingredients. To facilitate understanding of this information, other forms of expression and presentation or voluntary food information may be provided in addition to the mandatory nutrition declaration, in accordance with Articles 35 to 37 of the INCO Regulation.

Following a request from the French Ministry of Health, Santé publique France created a front-of-pack nutrition labeling system: the Nutri-Score, which producers may affix to their products on a voluntary basis. Nutri-Score was developed to help consumers understand nutritional information and thus assist them in making informed choices.

Nutri-Score was first implemented in France in 2017, based on work by the team of Prof. Serge Hercberg* as well as expertise from the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES) and the High Council for Public Health (HCSP). Since then, several countries have decided to recommend the label: Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg.

In 2023, the Nutri-Score European Scientific Committee proposed an update to the algorithm to better align the logo with the dietary guidelines of the participating countries, to better reflect scientific knowledge, and to adapt to changes in the food supply. The new algorithm will be gradually implemented in France starting in March 2025, following the publication of the decree establishing the new calculation methods.

You can read all scientific articles about Nutri-Score here.

What is Nutri-Score?

  • A front-of-pack label that provides information about a product’s nutritional quality in a simplified manner, complementing the mandatory nutrition declaration (as required by the INCO Regulation)

  • Based on a five-color nutritional scale: from dark green to dark orange

  • Associated with letters, from A to E, to optimize the logo’s accessibility and understanding by consumers

How are the points assigned?

The logo is assigned based on the calculation of a single, overall score that takes into account, for every 100 grams or 100 milliliters of food product:

  • the amount of nutrients and foods that should be encouraged (fiber, protein, fruits, vegetables, legumes);

  • the amount of nutrients that should be limited (calories, saturated fat, sugars, salt, and non-nutritive sweeteners).

Obtaining the right to use the logo

The right to use Nutri-Score is granted free of charge. Companies wishing to use Nutri-Score must register through one of the following procedures:

The registration includes:

  • identification of the applicant and its business;

  • details by brand of the product categories covered by the use of the logo;

  • a commitment to use the logo for all products they have on the market under the registered trademark(s);

  • the applicant’s commitment to comply with the Usage Regulations.

An electronic acknowledgment of receipt of the registration will be sent to the industry actor along with the files permitting use of the logo. No validation from Santé publique France is required. The logo may be used immediately upon receipt of the email.

Available files

  • Terms of Use for the Nutri-Score logo (in English / in French) and appendices:

    • Appendix 2: Graphic Charter (in English / in French)

    • Appendix 4 (available here): documentation to be provided to the French Food Quality Observatory (Oqali) via this link. It applies only to brands distributed in France (exclusively or otherwise). This file must be submitted only via this website, and not by email.

      • Please note: during the transition period, data transmission to Oqali is suspended.

  • A scientific and technical Q&A (in English / in French)

  • The Nutri-Score calculators, including a version for the original algorithm (in English / in French) and one for the updated algorithm (in English), which can be used to calculate the Nutri-Score of your products (this file should not be sent to Oqali).

For further information

Transnational governance

The relevant authorities of France, Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Spain, and Switzerland announce the establishment of a transnational coordination mechanism to facilitate the use of the front-of-pack nutrition label Nutri-Score. This cooperation will take place within a Steering Committee and a Scientific Committee.

The Steering Committee held its first meeting on January 25, 2021. The Steering Committee will coordinate the implementation and rollout of the Nutri-Score system. The committee brings together representatives from national authorities responsible for Nutri-Score implementation in each country. Its primary purpose is to facilitate the use of Nutri-Score by food business operators, to reach out to small businesses, and to engage with consumers by implementing efficient and common procedures.

The Scientific Committee held its first meeting on February 12, 2021. Its task will be to assess potential developments of the Nutri-Score system to improve consumer health, including synergies with dietary guidelines.

To do so, the Scientific Committee relies on the analysis of scientific literature and the requests of Nutri-Score stakeholders. A first call for contributions was published in 2021.

The steering committee has established a user forum, which met for the first time in October 2024.
The forum brings together representatives of consumer associations and business operators. Its aim is to discuss the operational issues involved in implementing Nutri-Score and to take into account the practical expertise of these stakeholders.

Focus on the revision of the Nutri-Score algorithm

Calls for contributions to develop the Nutri-Score algorithm

A first call for contributions was launched in summer 2021. Operators and consumer associations were able to submit proposals for potential changes to the Nutri-Score algorithm.

The requests validated by a two-thirds majority of the members of the steering committee of the 7 participating countries were sent to the experts of the scientific committee for review.

To ensure transparency in the work carried out, it was agreed that the requests from French operators submitted to the scientific committee would be published on the websites of Santé publique France and the Ministry of Solidarity and Health with their consent.

Reports of the Scientific Committee

The Scientific Committee of Nutri-Score comprises selected experts in the fields of nutrition and public health from COEN, who are free from conflicts of interest with industry, with the aim of improving the algorithm underlying Nutri-Score.

In 2021, the group identified and prioritized areas for potential improvement in the algorithm underlying the Nutri-Score, based on a consensus regarding evidence-based modifications.

Evolution of the algorithm for solid foods and beverages

In a report submitted to the steering committee in June 2022 for solid foods and in February 2023 for beverages, the scientific committee proposed a series of changes to the Nutri-Score algorithm. The proposed changes will enhance the effectiveness of the Nutri-Score in classifying products in accordance with the dietary guidelines of various countries, thereby guiding consumers toward healthier food choices.

In accordance with the steering committee’s mandate, the seven countries involved in the European governance of Nutri-Score met on July 26, 2022, and March 30, 2023, to decide on modifications to the Nutri-Score algorithm. In light of the positive impact of these changes on the classification of foods and beverages by Nutri-Score, consistent with dietary guidelines, the steering committee voted in favor of adopting these updates to the algorithm proposed by the scientific committee. In Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, and the Netherlands, the updated algorithm took effect on January 1, 2024. In Luxembourg, the updated algorithm took effect on March 5, 2024, and in France, on March 16, 2025.

Read more:

* Serge Hercberg, President of the French Nutrition and Health Program (PNNS) and Head of the Nutritional Epidemiology Research Team at U1153 (Inserm/INRA/CNAM/UP13)

Companies and brands participating in the Nutri-Score program

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