Does the Nutri-Score 2023 algorithm provide consistent classification across European food supplies? A cross-sectional study using branded food composition data from 14 countries
Abstract
Introduction: The Nutri-Score is a summary graded and colour-coded front of pack nutritional label providing an overall assessment of the nutritional value of prepacked products. While its 2023 update has been shown to be consistent with food-based dietary guidelines in the countries in which it has been adopted, its application has not been investigated in a wider geographical area. The objective of this study was to describe the classification of products according to the Nutri-Score in a large number of European Union (EU) countries. Methods: Branded food composition from 14 European countries was obtained from Euromonitor. Food products were classified according to the Nutri-Score algorithm, based on their content in energy (kJ/100 g), saturated fats (g/100 g), sugars (g/100 g), salt (g/100 g), proteins (g/100 g), dietary fibres (g/100 g) and fruit, vegetables and legumes (%/100 g). The distribution of the 2023 and 2015 Nutri-Score classifications was described across countries and food categories. Results: Overall, classification according to the 2023 Nutri-Score was consistent across 408 399 products from 14 countries and consistent with food-based dietary guidelines: >90% of frozen fruit and vegetables or >95% pulses were classified in the more favourable classes of the Nutri-Score (A/B), while >90% of discretionary foods such as chocolate confectionery and sweet biscuits were classified in the less favourable classes (D/E). Cross-country differences in classification reflected underlying variability in nutrient composition of products (eg, salt content in refined breads ranged from 1.05 to 1.23 g/100 g across countries). Conclusion: The Nutri-Score classification appeared consistent across a large geographical area, confirming its potential as an EU-wide front-of-package label. While some residual challenges remain for a limited number of specific product groups (eg, whole-grain pasta or rice), our findings indicate that the 2023 update represents a substantial improvement over the 2015 algorithm.
Related
- Design of a comprehensive protection algorithm for fault detection, classification, and location in high voltage direct current transmission lines connected to wind farms based on local terminal measurements
- GCOM-C/SGLI ground-area-based chlorophyll content estimation: a computationally efficient algorithm free from LAI and vegetation classification
- Association between preferred and documented mode of birth and birth experiences in low- and middle-income countries: a multisite cross-sectional study
- Childhood Trauma and Transdiagnostic Mental Health Outcomes Among Adults in 17 Arab Countries: A Multinational Cross-Sectional Study Using a Latent Global Trauma Model
- Mental health, coping and related risk factors during the first 2 years of the COVID-19 pandemic in children: Nationally representative, multi-wave, cross-sectional results from 12 countries from the global COH-FIT study
BibTeX
@article{julia2026does,
title = {{Does the Nutri-Score 2023 algorithm provide consistent classification across European food supplies? A cross-sectional study using branded food composition data from 14 countries}},
author = {Chantal Julia and Théo Vasseur and Hélène Alexiou and Joline W J Beulens and Anette E Buyken and Torsten Bohn and Pauline Ducrot and Ann Katrin Engelbert and Marie-Noëlle Falquet and Esther Infanger and Benedikt Merz and Elisabeth H M Temme and Stefanie Vandevijvere},
journal = {BMJ Public Health},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.1136/bmjph-2026-005015},
url = {https://hal.science/hal-05764087v1},
note = {CC BY-NC 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Does the Nutri-Score 2023 algorithm provide consistent classification across European food supplies? A cross-sectional study using branded food composition data from 14 countries
AU - Chantal Julia
AU - Théo Vasseur
AU - Hélène Alexiou
AU - Joline W J Beulens
AU - Anette E Buyken
AU - Torsten Bohn
AU - Pauline Ducrot
AU - Ann Katrin Engelbert
AU - Marie-Noëlle Falquet
AU - Esther Infanger
AU - Benedikt Merz
AU - Elisabeth H M Temme
AU - Stefanie Vandevijvere
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/15
JO - BMJ Public Health
DO - 10.1136/bmjph-2026-005015
UR - https://hal.science/hal-05764087v1
AB - Introduction: The Nutri-Score is a summary graded and colour-coded front of pack nutritional label providing an overall assessment of the nutritional value of prepacked products. While its 2023 update has been shown to be consistent with food-based dietary guidelines in the countries in which it has been adopted, its application has not been investigated in a wider geographical area. The objective of this study was to describe the classification of products according to the Nutri-Score in a large number of European Union (EU) countries. Methods: Branded food composition from 14 European countries was obtained from Euromonitor. Food products were classified according to the Nutri-Score algorithm, based on their content in energy (kJ/100 g), saturated fats (g/100 g), sugars (g/100 g), salt (g/100 g), proteins (g/100 g), dietary fibres (g/100 g) and fruit, vegetables and legumes (%/100 g). The distribution of the 2023 and 2015 Nutri-Score classifications was described across countries and food categories. Results: Overall, classification according to the 2023 Nutri-Score was consistent across 408 399 products from 14 countries and consistent with food-based dietary guidelines: >90% of frozen fruit and vegetables or >95% pulses were classified in the more favourable classes of the Nutri-Score (A/B), while >90% of discretionary foods such as chocolate confectionery and sweet biscuits were classified in the less favourable classes (D/E). Cross-country differences in classification reflected underlying variability in nutrient composition of products (eg, salt content in refined breads ranged from 1.05 to 1.23 g/100 g across countries). Conclusion: The Nutri-Score classification appeared consistent across a large geographical area, confirming its potential as an EU-wide front-of-package label. While some residual challenges remain for a limited number of specific product groups (eg, whole-grain pasta or rice), our findings indicate that the 2023 update represents a substantial improvement over the 2015 algorithm.
SN - 2753-4294
SN - 2753-4294
ER -