Why does Nestlé support Nutri-Score in Europe?

Our goal is to support consumers in choosing a healthy, balanced diet by improving the nutritional value of our products and offering clear nutrition labelling on the packaging.

Since 2020, we have been using the nutrition label Nutri-Score in several countries across Europe. Nutri-Score is a colorful nutrition label. It rates food and drink products according to their nutritional value per 100g/100ml from A to E - each letter corresponding to a color. The front of pack label already appears on several Nestlé brands, including Garden Gourmet plant-based products, Nesquik chocolate-flavored milk, Nestlé Dessert Chocolate, Maggi culinary products, and breakfast cereals such as Nestlé Fitness and Chocapic. Our plan is to implement Nutri-Score labels on thousands of Nestlé products across continental Europe.

Our support for Nutri-Score reflects our commitment to good nutrition and informed food choices. People are increasingly eager to know what is in their food and beverages. We want to provide them with clear nutritional information about our brands. Scientific and consumer evidence show that Nutri-Score is a solution that works in continental Europe.

Marco Settembri CEO of Nestlé for Zone Europe

What is Nutri-Score?

Nutri-Score is a color-coded nutrition label that classifies foods and beverages according to their nutritional profile, with a scale from A (healthier choices) to E (less healthy choices).

It was developed by the French national public health agency. The system allows a holistic understanding of the nutritional quality of a product, to enable people to make informed decisions towards healthier diets.

What is the benefit of Nutri-Score for consumers?

The main benefit of Nutri-Score is to help consumers make informed choices within a product category. For instance, consumers can easily compare the Nutri-Score, visible on the front of pack, of different breakfast cereals and opt for the one with the best score (e.g., 'B' instead of 'C').

How is the Nutri-Score rating calculated?

Nutri-Score gives a rating to the product based on a scientific algorithm. It takes into account positive ingredients, such as nuts, fruit, vegetables, fibers, proteins and olive, nut, and colza oils. It also takes into account ingredients to limit, such as sugars, energy (calories), sodium (salt) and saturated fat. Nutri-score is based on 100gr or 100ml of a product.

What is the link between Nutri-Score and product reformulation?

We have started our reformulation journey 20 years ago and have already made significant progress in improving our products. Nutri-Score now offers a clear standard that helps us move even faster. For instance, around 25% of the veggie segment within our Garden Gourmet portfolio has been improved based on Nutri-Score.

Where is Nestlé implementing Nutri-Score?

Nutri-Score is being implemented on brands from Nestlé's wholly-owned businesses in continental Europe, where permitted. Our breakfast cereals joint venture Cereal Partners Worldwide (CPW) is also implementing Nutri-Score on its product packaging in countries across continental Europe.

Will you only implement Nutri-Score on products with the best scoring?

No. The wider rollout of Nutri-Score will be done in a consistent way across Nestlé's wholly-owned businesses and CPW product packaging regardless of the score of the product. Our goal is to support consumers in making informed and transparent choices in line with their dietary needs.