The Nutri-Score decoded

Source : Nutriactis/Rouen-Normandie hospital

Nutri-score

We’ve all seen the Nutri-Score on many everyday products: cereals, yogurts, ready meals…

This colorful logo aims to simplify nutritional information to help consumers make more informed choices. But what mechanisms are used to assess nutritional quality, and how reliable are they?

In this article, we invite you to take a closer look at what lies behind the Nutri-Score.

The Nutri-Score: Designed to Guide You Better

Displayed on the front of packaging, the Nutri-Score was developed by Professor Hercberg’s scientific team to make nutritional information easier to read. It helps consumers make healthier choices through a simple and intuitive color-coded system.

How is it assigned?

The Nutri-Score is based on a five-color scale associated with letters ranging from:

Calculation of the Nutri-Score

The calculation applies universally to all food products, except for a few specific cases for which adapted methods have been defined.

The nutritional criteria considered are divided into two categories:

Special cases

Specific adjustments have been made to the algorithm for beverages, cheeses, added fats, and nuts. These adaptations aim to better reflect the diversity of nutritional quality within these food groups and ensure greater consistency with public health recommendations.

For example, for beverages, the “sweeteners” criterion has been added to the “to limit” list.

You can test the Nutri-Score yourself using the official algorithm available on the Santé publique France.

Example

Nutri-Score labeling

Introduced in France in 2017, the Nutri-Score has since been adopted by several European countries, including Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg.

Displaying the Nutri-Score is not mandatory. Companies that choose to include it on their products must apply for authorization from Santé publique France.

Evolution of the Nutri-Score

In 2023, the European Nutri-Score Scientific Committee revised the algorithm to better reflect current nutritional recommendations. The new Nutri-Score has been implemented in France since March 2025.

This revised algorithm aligns the Nutri-Score more closely with dietary guidelines — increasing consistency from 63% to 85%.

Scoring criteria have been strengthened: sugary drinks, certain ready meals, and foods high in poor- quality fats now receive lower scores. Foods containing healthy fats, such as certain oils, are rated more favorably. Examples:

Note: The Nutri-Score shown on packaging may not always be up to date. During the transition period, a new logo distinguishes products calculated with the updated algorithm until all labels are refreshed.

Limitations of the Nutri-Score

To make the best use of the Nutri-Score in daily life, it’s important to understand its limits:

Processing level: a missing criterion

The level of food processing is not directly considered in the score, even though it has a direct impact on our health, especially by changing the structure of food and by adding additives.

100 g ≠ your plate

The Nutri-Score is calculated per 100 g or 100 mL, which doesn’t always reflect real serving sizes. A product rated C or D may still fit into a balanced diet if consumed in small amounts (e.g., a piece of cheese, a square of dark chocolate, or a drizzle of walnut oil). Conversely, an A or B rating doesn’t mean the product should be eaten without moderation.

Key nutrients overlooked

The system doesn’t directly take into account vitamins and minerals, which are essential for good health.

Sweeteners not accounted for

The Nutri-Score doesn’t penalize the use of sweeteners in solid foods, while they do generate negative points in beverages.

Difficulty assessing fats

The Nutri-Score has difficulty distinguishing between types of fats (vegetable vs. animal, saturated vs. unsaturated). For example, in cheeses, some studies show that the current criteria don’t fully reflect the real health impact of these fats, especially regarding cardiovascular risk.

Whole vs. refined grains

The Nutri-Score doesn’t always sufficiently distinguish between whole- grain and refined-grain products. For instance, refined pasta may score an A, even though whole-grain pasta offers greater nutritional and health benefits.

Limited effectiveness and understanding

Current studies suggest that the Nutri-Score has a limited long-term influence on consumer choices, as people don’t consistently switch to better-rated products.

Conclusion

The Nutri-Score is a practical tool for quickly comparing products on the shelf, but it shouldn’t be seen as an absolute health indicator.

It can help you make more balanced choices, especially when combined with careful label reading and a varied, diverse diet that meets your nutritional needs.