When shopping in the supermarket, it is not always easy to see if a food product is healthy or not. Although a nutritional table is required by law on the packaging, few consumers know what that information means for their diet. How much fat, sugar and salt is okay or bad? A 5-color nutrition label (5-CNL) is designed to help consumers in the EU make informed choices. With the right labeling solutions, manufacturers can optimally adapt to the new packaging element.
How does the Nutri-score label work?
The Nutri-score is a five-level color scale with letters (A to E) applied to the front of food packaging. The green A resembles the most preferable score, while the red E is a detrimental score. The label system makes different products easier to compare.
To determine the Nutri-score of a food, the amount of preferable and detrimental ingredients is weighted to 100 grams (for drinks and soups to 100 milliliters) as a number and billed together. A high content of healthy ingredients such as fiber, proteins, fruits and vegetables leads to a more preferable score. Problematic ingredients such as saturated fat, sugar and salt promote a detrimental score.
Based on the total score, the product is given one of the five classifications. The lower the score, the higher the nutritional quality of the product.
Nutri-score labeling is voluntary for manufacturers
The use of the Nutri-score label is intended to stay voluntary for manufacturers. Many consumer organizations, however, are calling for an enforced labeling requirement throughout the entire European Union.
Several manufacturers in the food industry endorse the color nutrition. Especially brands that sell healthy products might benefit from a positive advertising effect.
The first country to introduce the Nutri-score in 2017 was France, where the label was created by the French public health agency in cooperation with independent nutritionists. Belgium, Spain and Portugal followed in 2018 and 2019. Germany plans the official introduction in 2020. In the Netherlands, citizens’ initiatives are advocating implementation and some retailers have announced that they will start labeling.
Labeling solutions for the food industry
Be it with or without Nutri-score: There is a lot to consider for industrial labeling in the food industry!
- The various packaging and stations along the production line place the most varied demands on the marking systems used.
- In food factories, harsh production conditions require particularly robust labeling systems and label printers.
- Labels with direct food contact must meet certain requirements.
- The complete traceability of food products must be ensured.
We will be happy to advise you personally at no cost! Weber Marking Systems is a renowned manufacturer of professional labeling solutions made in Germany and provides a worldwide sales and service network.
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