Nutri-Score

The Nutri-Score is a five-level nutrition label ranging from A (dark green) to E (red) that shows at a glance how balanced a packaged food is compared with similar products. It was developed in France and introduced there in 2017; in Germany, manufacturers have been allowed to use it voluntarily since November 2020.

How it's calculated: per 100 grams, there are negative points for energy, sugars, saturated fat and salt, and positive points for fibre, protein and the proportion of fruit, vegetables and pulses. The difference produces a letter. The algorithm was revised in 2023/2024: since then, sugary drinks, very salty products and white flour have been rated more strictly, and wholegrains and rapeseed oil more favourably.

What matters is knowing what the Nutri-Score can do – and what it can't. It compares products in the same category: which frozen pizza, which muesli, which yoghurt is the better choice? It doesn't say that a pizza with a B is healthier than nuts with a C, and it doesn't assess additives, degree of processing or portion size. Loose fruit and vegetables carry no label at all – and are still the best choice.

Studies from France and Germany show that with the Nutri-Score, consumers on average shop a little more healthily and manufacturers improve their recipes to get a better letter. When you're losing weight, it's a handy quick filter on the shelf – but checking the nutrition table and ingredients list remains the more accurate method.

With children, the score works well as a traffic light: green is fine every day, red is for special moments. No bans, just awareness.