What is the Nutri-Score?

Nutri-Score is a nutritional labeling system used to help consumers quickly and easily identify the nutritional quality of food and beverages. It is based on an algorithm that evaluates the composition of products, assigning a score that translates into a letter and a color, ranging from A (green, healthiest) to E (red, least healthy).

Characteristics of Nutri-Score:

1. Overall evaluation: It considers both positive nutrients (such as fruits, vegetables, legumes, protein, and fiber) and negative ones (sugars, saturated fats, and sodium).
2. Simplicity: It presents information in a clear and visual way, making product comparisons easier.
3. Promotion of healthy choices: It encourages manufacturers to improve the nutritional quality of their products to obtain better ratings.

Disadvantages of Nutri-Score:

1. Over-simplification: Some critics argue that it reduces the complexity of nutrition to a single letter, which may lead to misunderstandings about a food’s quality.
2. Does not consider portions: The system does not take portion size into account, which can be misleading for consumers.
3. Variability across products: There may be discrepancies in the rating of similar products, which can confuse consumers.

In summary, Nutri-Score is a useful tool to guide consumers toward healthier choices, but it also has limitations that should be considered.