Better directing consumers to more balanced products without “Penalize” However “Local products” : The new Nutri-Score was validated on Friday March 14, despite government dissensions, in the name of the fight against overweight and obesity. “Given the imperative public health issues, the ministers have decided to sign the decree modifying the rules for calculating Nutri-Score”announced in a joint press release the ministers in charge of the economy, health, agriculture and trade.
Above all, it is “Fighting overweight, obesity” with behind “Subjects as heavy as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and certain cancers”said the Minister of Health Catherine Vautrin on TF1.
Pledge however given to the agro-food sector: the ministers ensure that they will be “Attentive to what this system (…) does not harm products from the richness of our terroirs and symbols of our culinary heritage”. They hear staying “Vigilant with board effects” that the new method of calculating Nutri-Score “Debrics for products from French know-how”.
Companies and brands engaged in this voluntary approach have, moreover, “Two years to update their packaging and affix the new Nutri-Score”according to their press release. In detail, the ministers Catherine Vautrin (work, health, solidarity), Yannick Neuder (health, access to care), Eric Lombard (Economy), Véronique Louwagie (Commerce) and Annie Genevard (Agriculture) have all signed their signature.
Critics of the Minister of Agriculture
This government green light still seemed far from guaranteed last week. Previous government teams had validated this new version, more severe with regard to certain processed food products. But the current Minister of Agriculture Annie Genevard had publicly assumed to block the publication of the decree which was to allow the entry into force of the new Nutri-Score, accusing him of giving a bad note to the products “Remarkable” Terroir, cheeses and cold meats in particular.
“Nutri-score, yes but …”she still insisted on Friday morning in a message published on X, evoking once again on the ” boundaries “ device “That it is crucial to correct” in order not to “Unjustly penalize” THE “Local products”.
Designed by nutrition specialists, Nutri-Score was set up in 2017 in France, on the basis of volunteer, and in six other European countries. This labeling classifies the food products from A to E according to their composition and their nutritional intake.
The new calculation method allows in particular “Improve the differentiation between foods according to their salt and sugars”as well as the classification of fatty fish, oils less rich in saturated fatty acids and drinks, recalls the government press release. “The ministries concerned will be asked to study” THE “Effects” potential and “To initiate at European level of exchanges to see how to better take them into account”said the press release.
A “real public health tool”
Faced with the criticisms of the Minister of Agriculture, votes have been raised in recent days to defend the interest of this new labeling for consumers. This is a “True public health tool, acclaimed by the French and influencing purchase choices and we cannot pretend to be overweight and obesity were not a public health problem”notably underlined the director general of health, Dr. Grégory Emery.
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Several economic players in mass distribution and agro-food transformation have also been positioned in favor of the new system. “I think it’s a good thing”said the boss of the musketeers/Intermarché Thierry Cotillard on his Linkedin account. A less good rating will encourage his business to “Reformulate” his ” recipes “.
Nutritional labeling, the prohibition of advertisements for salted sweet fatty products and the taxation of sugary drinks are “The most effective public policies against overweight and obesity”according to a study of the statistical service of social ministries in July 2024.