Nutri-Score : A public health tool to guide food choices

Faced with the complexity of nutritional information on packaging, Nutri-Score has established itself as a simple and effective solution to guide consumers toward healthier food choices.

Launched in 2017 under the aegis of Santé Publique France, this nutritional labelling system aims to fight diseases linked to poor nutrition, such as obesity and diabetes.

But how does Nutri-Score really work, and what are its challenges for food companies ?

Decryption offered by SolidPepper.

What is Nutri-Score?

The Nutri-Score is a five-color logo, ranging from A green (the healthiest products) to E red (products to be limited). Based on a scientific formula, this system assesses both negative elements (calories, sugars, salt, saturated fats) and positive elements (fiber, protein, fruit, vegetable and nut content).

Origin and objectives

Adopted in France thanks to the initiative of Public Health France in close collaboration with searchers, and actors from European public policies, the Nutri-Score is emerging as a tool at the service of public health. This simplified nutrition labelling system aims to meet two major ambitions:

• Helping consumers

The Nutri-Score allows consumers to better understand the nutritional quality of the products they consume.

By giving a grade ranging from A (better nutritional quality) unto E (lower nutritional quality), it guides them to healthier food choices.

This approach aims to empower everyone, regardless of their level of nutrition knowledge, to make informed and informed choices.

• Encourage businesses

The Nutri-Score also acts as a innovation engine for manufacturers.

By clearly displaying the nutritional score of their products, it encourages companies to reformulate their recipes to improve their nutritional profile.

This may include actions such as:

• reducing salt, sugar or fat content,
• or the addition of ingredients that are beneficial to health, such as fiber or protein.

In a society where health inequalities are often exacerbated by poor dietary habits, Nutri-Score is positioned as a key lever for reducing these disparities.

By promoting a diet more balanced and accessible to all, it contributes directly to public health goals. It also engages all actors in the food chain in a responsible and sustainable approach.

This system is part of a global and collaborative vision, where the well-being of individuals and improving dietary practices are becoming shared priorities.

The challenges for food businesses

Although the use of Nutri-Score is voluntary in France, its adoption is gaining more and more ground. Many businesses, large and small, decide to incorporate this nutrition labelling system into their products.

This evolution is mainly explained by three major factors:

• Consumer pressure, ever more concerned about their food.
• Dealer requirements, who seek to offer transparent and attractive products.
• The growing interest of brands to demonstrate their commitment to public health and transparency.

Adoption encouraged by various actors

Consumers play a key role in this dynamic. More and more, they prefer products with clear and reliable nutritional information, which is pushing companies to adapt.

The distributors, for their part, favor brands that display the Nutri-Score, because this meets the expectations of their customers and contributes to strengthening their own image of transparency.

Finally, public and health institutions also recommend the use of this tool to guide food choices towards more balanced products.

Implementation steps for businesses

To adopt Nutri-Score, businesses must follow several steps:

1. Calculate the score : The evaluation is based on the nutritional information available for each product. It is necessary to analyze the quantities of nutrients such as calories, the saturated fats, the sugars And the salt, but also beneficial elements such as fibres, the Proteins And the content of fruits, Vegetables gold Oilseed.
2. Affix the Nutri-Score to all supports : Once calculated, the score should appear visibly on Wrappers, but also on Online sales sites And in the catalogues. This ensures that information is accessible regardless of the channel used to purchase the product.
3. Communicating with consumers : Businesses should meet customer expectations by explaining the meaning of Nutri-Score And by highlighting their approach to Transparency. This Can Happen Through awareness-raising campaigns on social networks, of Explanations on packaging Or Even Educational initiatives.

The benefits and the challenges

Adopt the Nutri-Score Can Offer Significant Benefits, Such as a Better Brand Image And a Increased Consumer Loyalty Concerned about nutritional quality.

However, it can also cause Dares, especially in terms of Change in Recipes To improve scores or to Packaging Update and communication systems.

Despite these obstacles, tea Nutri-Score Is Continuing Emerging as a Switchboard To Guide Food Choices Towards a More Balanced Consumption.

A data management challenge

The implementation of the Nutri-Score is not without difficulties:

• Data collection : It is sometimes complex to obtain accurate nutritional information, especially concerning elements such as fiber or salt.
• Constant Update : Recipe reformulations or new regulations require the score to be recalculated frequently.
• Multi-channel broadcast : The logo must be synchronized across all channels, whether physical (packaging) or digital (online stores).

Let's take a concrete example: a cookie company decides to reduce the amount of sugar in its products to improve their Nutri-Score, going from D Unto C. But that involves recalculating and updating more than 200 references In a few weeks. A daunting task without the right tools.

Technological solutions: the key role of PIMs

To meet these challenges, many businesses are turning to software for Product Information Management (PIM). These tools modernize product data management and accelerate the adoption of Nutri-Score.

The benefits of PIMs for the Nutri-Score

• Centralization of data : All the nutritional elements necessary to calculate the Nutri-Score are grouped together in a single database.
• Automated calculations : No need to calculate manually anymore! Data is processed quickly and accurately.
• Omnichannel delivery made easy : PIMs ensure that packaging, online catalogs and other materials are updated instantly.

Focus on a French solution: SolidPepper

In France, solutions like SolidPepper Stand out for their adaptation to the specific needs of local food businesses.

• Compliance with the expectations of Public Health France : SolidPepper is designed in accordance with national public health priorities.
• Simplified collaboration : The software works between R&D, quality and marketing teams, especially in the case of reformulations.
• Fast data management : Import your nutritional information from Excel or ERP, and let SolidPepper calculate and update your scores in a few clicks.

For example, an organic yogurt manufacturer can import its data, calculate Nutri-Score (A for plain yogurt, B for a sweet version) and distribute this information on its labels and website in record time.

Transforming a constraint into an opportunity

Adopting the Nutri-Score is not only an obligation to remain competitive, it is also a Strategic Opportunity. By combining this tool with robust PIM solutions like SolidPepper, businesses can:

• Accelerate their transition to a transparent nutrition communication.
• Respond more effectively to Consumer requirements and distributors.
• Valuing their efforts for a Healthier diet, and thus strengthen their brand image.

With the Nutri-Score, companies are not content with complying with a standard: they are making a A Winning Bet on the Future, by contributing to better public health while meeting the expectations of an ever more demanding market.

Ready to take up the Nutri-Score challenge?

With tools like SolidPepper, you have everything you need to transform Nutri-Score into a real competitive advantage. Don't let your data and processes get in the way of your competitiveness. Discover now how our solutions can support you in the effective management and distribution of your product information.