With this decision, the labeling of ingredients in food remains a national matter, which may lead to a fragmented system within Europe. The Nutri-Score was developed in France in 2017 and has since gained wide recognition. Besides France, Belgium, Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg have voluntarily adopted the Nutri-Score. Large supermarket chains like Albert Heijn also display the label on their packaging.
The system classifies ingredients based on their composition, where products with a healthy balance of fats, sugars, and salt receive an A score and less healthy products an E score. Italy has consistently opposed the system.
Foods such as olive oil, Parmesan cheese, and raw ham could receive a low score, while highly processed foods with artificial sweeteners sometimes score better. Italian politicians say that the Nutri-Score acts as a 'health recommendation' that discourages traditional products.
Initially, the European Commission planned to make a uniform nutrition label mandatory across all EU member states as part of the 'Farm to Fork' strategy. Now, the Commission intends to withdraw the current proposal, following a broader trend where the new Commission, which took office late last year, reviews or postpones many proposals from previous commissioners.
Besides Nutri-Score, EU proposals in the areas of food safety and animal welfare have also been re-examined or delayed. Withdrawing potential plans can be seen as an attempt to pursue less controversial regulations and build wider support.
Despite the European Commission's decision, the Nutri-Score remains in use in several EU countries. Supermarkets and food producers can continue to use the label voluntarily. This means consumers in some countries will still encounter Nutri-Score labels, while other countries may develop their own systems or not adopt uniform labeling.
Just last week, France announced an 'adjustment' to the Nutri-Score in an attempt to address Italian objections. Furthermore, the French Minister of Agriculture also believes that the Nutri-Score should be much more 'farmer-friendly.'