Front-of-pack Nutri-Score labelling in France: an evidence-based policy
Authors: Chantal Julia, Fabrice Etilé, Serge Hercberg
Journal: The Lancet Public Health (2018)

Since Oct 31, 2017, a front-of-pack labelling system named Nutri-Score (a synthetic information system based on colours and letters from green/A to red/E), allowing consumers to see and compare at a glance the nutritional value of pre-packaged foods is being implemented, on a voluntary basis, in France.1Journal Officiel de la République FrançaiseArrêté du 31 octobre 2017 fixant la forme de présentation complémentaire à la déclaration nutritionnelle recommandée par l'Etat en application des articles L. 3232-8 et R. 3232-7 du code de la santé publique.https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/eli/arrete/2017/10/31/SSAP1730474A/jo/texteDate: 2017Google Scholar Although some experts warned that the Nutri-Score might constitute an obstacle to EU trade,2EU Food PolicyNutri-Score: health benefits justifies trade risk, says Commission.http://www.eufoodpolicy.com/cgi-bin/view_article.pl?id=14786Date: 2017Google Scholar the measure appeared justified on public health grounds. The adoption of the Nutri-Score label was made after a lengthy 4 year process, during which intense lobbying by agro-industry opposed scientific evidence. Although implementation of policies based on research evidence has been repeatedly shown to be necessary by the public health community and policy makers, the reality of political process is often disappointing. Therefore, the French experience with front-of-pack labelling is a compelling model. Front-of-pack labelling has been identified for several years by WHO and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development as an important strategy to tackle nutrition-related diseases, because it helps consumers make informed decisions on the healthiness of their purchases.3OECDPromoting sustainable consumption—good practices in OECD countries. Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, Paris2008Google Scholar Moreover, front-of-pack labelling can provide strong incentives to the agro-industry to reformulate its products to improve their nutritional quality.3OECDPromoting sustainable consumption—good practices in OECD countries. Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, Paris2008Google Scholar Dietary risk factors are leading causes of mortality and disability in the world; dietary risks were estimated to account for 10·3 million deaths worldwide in 2016.4GBD 2016 Risk Factors CollaboratorsGlobal, regional, and national comparative risk assessment of 84 behavioural, environmental and occupational, and metabolic risks or clusters of risks, 1990–2016: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2016.Lancet. 2017; 390: 1345-1422Summary Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (1652) Google Scholar Therefore, curbing the adverse effects of unhealthy diet is a major challenge in public health. Implementation of front-of-pack labelling was first proposed to the French Minister of Health in 2014;5Hercberg S Propositions pour un nouvel élan de la politique nutritionnelle française de santé publique dans le cadre de la stratégie nationale de santé. 1ère partie: mesures concernant la prévention nutritionnelle.http://www.ladocumentationfrancaise.fr/rapports-publics/144000068/index.shtmlDate: 2014Google Scholar it was incorporated—in principle—in the Health Law of 2016. The selection of the final graphical format for front-of-pack labelling was controversial and prolonged, involving multiple stakeholders in a consultation process in which scientific evidence finally prevailed. Studies of the nutrient profiling system underlying the Nutri-Score, and comparative studies of the perception, understanding, and use of various strategies of front-of-pack labelling, done between 2014 and 2017 concluded that the Nutri-Score was superior to other formats.6Julia C Hercberg S Development of a new front-of-pack nutrition label in France: the five-colour Nutri-Score.Public Health Panorama. 2017; 3: 712-725Google Scholar The scientific evidence weighted heavily in the decision by health authorities to adopt the Nutri-Score in France. The framework in which this political decision was made, with reliance on science, was commended by the EU regional office of WHO.7WHO EuropeFrance becomes one of the first countries in region to recommend colour-coded front-of-pack nutrition labeling system.http://www.euro.who.int/en/countries/france/news/news/2017/03/france-becomes-one-of-the-first-countries-in-region-to-recommend-colour-coded-nutrition-labelling-systemDate: 2017Google Scholar This experience shows how scientific evidence can help policy makers to face trade and commercial forces. The Nutri-Score provides a tool for adjusting regulatory pressure on the marketing, availability, and pricing of food products to form the basis of consistent policy actions targeting not only consumers, but also their food environment. FE reports grants from AXA Research Fund, outside the submitted work. CJ and SH declare no competing interests. Tackling obesity seriously: the time has comeAccording to WHO data, worldwide, more than 1·9 billion adults are overweight—of these over 650 million are obese. 41 million children under the age of 5 years and 340 million children and adolescents aged 5–19 years are overweight or obese. Obesity is a major risk factor for non-communicable diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and several cancers. Crucially, obesity is preventable. So how is it that obesity has nearly tripled worldwide since 1975? Full-Text PDF Open Access