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The Nutri-Score: where does it stand?

In late November 2019, Minister Blokhuis of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS) opted for the Nutri-Score. With 2021 just beginning, many companies are wondering if they should change their labels and already mention the Nutri-Score. In addition, much is still unknown about the Nutri-Score. For example, companies are wondering how it is assessed which score a product gets and what that score actually says about the product. Reason enough to list the current state of affairs.

How is the Nutri-Score doing in the Netherlands?

The introduction of the Nutri-Score is related to the new approach that follows the Agreement on Improving Product Composition (APS). The new approach should ensure an improved product composition of all products and is mainly based on the intake of salt, saturated fat and sugar. Limit values for the nutrients of salt, saturated fatty acids and sugar will be drawn up in stages for each product group. In drawing up the limit values, the Nutri-Score is also taken into account. Finally, companies are encouraged to improve their products to achieve the targets. Thus, companies are thus encouraged to ensure that their products get a better Nutri-Score.

After it was announced that the Netherlands, like France, is opting for the Nutri-Score, it was indicated that first the underlying criteria of the Nutri-Score must be adjusted so that consumers can make an objective nutritional choice. This implies that the criteria must be better aligned with the Schijf van Vijf. The Disk of Five is based on national dietary guidelines from the Health Council of the Netherlands. The Nutri-Score score should allow consumers to make a better food choice at a glance. This applies to both products within and outside the Disk of Five.

In the Netherlands, preparations are in full swing to be able to introduce the Nutri-Score in mid-2021. For the introduction, the Commodities Act will have to be amended so that the Nutri-Score becomes an authorized logo. It will not (yet) become a mandatory food choice logo. If the logo is allowed in the Netherlands, there will be a portal for companies to come forward with implementation issues. At the moment, the exact tasks for the portal are being mapped out and the best agency to take on this task is being considered. Finally, preparations are also being made for public awareness of the logo.

How is it possible that the Nutri-Score is already visible on some products?

On some products the Nutri-Score is already mentioned. This is because mutual recognition allows the logo to be sold legally on the Dutch market. In that case, however, these must be products produced in foreign companies where the Nutri-Score has already been introduced. In addition, companies that export abroad, such as Bonduelle, are already allowed to use the Nutri-Score in the Netherlands on their products. Also, some companies are running pilots for an introduction of the Nutri-Score in the Netherlands. These pilots are done in cooperation with the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport to gauge consumer experiences. For example, Hak has already mentioned the Nutri-Score on some of their products. Albert Heijn has already submitted a request for approval of the Nutri-Score to the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport in 2018. In addition, in May 2020, Albert Heijn started a pilot to mention the Nutri-Score on about 2,000 products on its website, with the aim of getting a picture of whether consumers filter their products based on the Nutri-Score. These results will be shared with the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport and are part of the preparations for the introduction of the Nutri-Score in the Netherlands.

Will I soon find a Nutri-Score on products all over Europe?

Things are different when it comes to the introduction of a harmonized food choice logo in all European member states. In the 2020 European Farm to Fork strategy, the European Commission announced a proposal for a mandatory European harmonized food choice logo by the end of 2022. Before a harmonized food choice logo can be introduced, impact assessments need to be carried out. At the moment, the Netherlands, France, Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, Switzerland and Spain are in discussions about setting up the organization around the Nutri-Score. A steering committee is being set up. This steering committee will take decisions about the Nutri-Score, including the underlying criteria for the logo. A mandate will also be drawn up for the establishment of an independent scientific committee. The calculation behind the Nutri-Score will be examined by independent scientists from the participating countries. From the Netherlands, these are the Health Council of the Netherlands and RIVM. The independent scientific committee is expected to start in early 2021. The work will consist of assessing whether the criteria of the Nutri-Score match the national dietary guidelines of the participating countries. Furthermore, a separate working group with communication experts from the participating countries will be set up to ensure that communication to consumers is properly aligned. Finally, arrangements will be made with the participating countries regarding registration for participation in the Nutri-Score. The results of the impact assessments will probably be available in 2022. After that, the European Commission will come up with proposals for legislation.

At present, the Netherlands has not yet taken a position on the harmonized food choice logo and is awaiting the results of the impact assessments. Also only then will the Netherlands decide whether to make the harmonized food choice logo mandatory or voluntary.

In short, the Netherlands and participating countries are busy preparing for the introduction of the Nutri-Score. In the Netherlands, it is expected that the logo can be voluntarily introduced by Dutch producers in mid-2021. As for the harmonized European food choice logo, the scientific committee will start in 2021 and the results are expected in 2022. Only then will the European Commission consider legislative proposals. So all this could be quite a long time coming....

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