The French government has officially approved the new Nutri-Score, aiming to combat rising rates of obesity and related health issues, after extensive debates among key ministers. The new version of this nutritional labeling system will come fully online on March 14, 2025, and it brings about stricter guidelines for calculating scores assigned to food products.
On March 14, 2025, ministers from various departments, including Health, Agriculture, Economy, and Commerce, signed the decree modifying the calculation rules for the Nutri-Score. This update has been framed as necessary due to imperative public health issues. According to the government, one out of every two French citizens is currently classified as overweight or obese, which is concerning considering the link to severe conditions such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and certain cancers.
Health Minister Catherine Vautrin stressed the importance of the revised Nutri-Score during her comments on TF1, emphasizing the government's commitment to tackling the health crisis linked to poor dietary choices. "Given the imperative public health stakes, the ministers decided to sign the decree modifying the Nutri-Score calculation rules," stated Vautrin.
The new Nutri-Score system, known as Nutri-Score 2.0, adjusts the classification of nutritional value on food products from A to E, where A denotes the healthiest choices and E the least healthy. The adjustments make the Nutri-Score harsher on various processed foods based on recent scientific studies related to health risks.
This initiative is primarily voluntary for food manufacturers, leading to approximately 1,400 businesses currently employing this labeling system across France. The updated version is said to improve differentiation among food products, especially concerning their salt and sugar content—an area of increasing concern among health officials. Various specialists have been involved in the development, with the government highlighting the urgency of addressing nutrition within the public policy framework.
Despite the government's support, not all voices are aligned. Minister Annie Genevard, responsible for Agriculture, raised objections during the lead-up to the decree's signing. She had publicly criticized the new calculation methods, voicing fears about the potential negative repercussions for France's local food products. Genevard's concerns, particularly for cherished French specialties like cheeses and charcuterie, highlighted the risk of diminishing consumer confidence and sales due to what she termed negative scoring.
Reassuring the agro-food sector, the government declared its intent to remain vigilant about potential side effects of the revised Nutri-Score on products known for their French craftsmanship. They committed to studying how the new scoring system could affect both public health and traditional food industries. The comments made by Minister Genevard reflect concerns shared by many within the agricultural sector, who argue the necessity for policies to safeguard these products and avoid penalizing them.
On becoming law, companies will be granted two years to update their packaging and incorporate the new Nutri-Score. Vautrin explained the need for this transition to respond effectively to the pressing need for public health improvements. The cooperative effort among the ministries reflects the intersection of health policy and industry standards, aiming to create healthier food environments for consumers.
A recent study emphasized by health officials indicates nutritional labeling, restrictions on advertisements for unhealthy products, and taxes on sugary drinks comprise some of the most effective public health policies to combat obesity and overweight issues.
Advocates for the Nutri-Score system view these modifications as not only beneficial for consumer welfare but also as encouraging food producers to reformulate and improve the nutritional quality of their offerings.
Defending the changes, Dr. Grégory Emery, the Director-General of Health, argued, "This new system is truly a tool for public health. It has reached people, influencing purchasing behaviors. We cannot treat the obesity crisis as if it does not exist. Therefore, reforms like the Nutri-Score are fundamental." Many leaders within the grocery and agricultural distribution sectors echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the benefits of encouraging the enhancement of food formulations to meet healthier standards.
Moving forward, the ministers involved are expected to initiate discussions at the European level to secure wider acceptance and implementation of modified nutritional standards so they can address the diverse dietary needs across Europe.
While the road to broad acceptance of the new Nutri-Score may still bear challenges, particularly from skeptic voices within agriculture, the overall intention appears to direct consumer choices toward healthier options without sacrificing the value and quality of traditional French recipes.
By placing substantial focus on informing the public and enhancing food quality, the new Nutri-Score system may contribute significantly to public health advancements and dietary reforms within France over the coming years.