Falquet, Marie-Noëlle; Brunner, Thomas; Lehmann, Undine; Augé, Charlotte (2022). Améliorer l’efficacité du Nutri-Score en Suisse: Rapport scientifique pour répondre au postulat 20.3913 « Améliorer l’efficacité du Nutri-Score » Zollikofen: Berner Fachhochschule, Hochschule für Agrar-, Forst- und Lebensmittelwissenschaften
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Front-of-package nutrition labelling systems make it easier for consumers to understand nutritional information. They allow better-quality food choices at the time of purchase. The scientifically based Nutri-Score is a simplified nutrition labelling system introduced in Switzerland on a voluntary basis and supported by the Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (FSVO) since 2019. This report, commissioned by the FSVO, aims to identify the conditions necessary to improve the effec-tiveness of Nutri-Score in Switzerland. Following a literature review, a representative sample of the Swiss population (n=1203) was surveyed in October 2021. Respondents were asked about their awareness, perceptions and adoption of Nutri-Score. A survey of 14 of the 23 Swiss-based companies using the logo by the end of 2021 identified the conditions necessary to facilitate its introduction and the costs associated with its inclusion on packaging. Finally, 66 companies not using the logo were surveyed in order to identify perceived barriers. Several studies show that Nutri-Score enables consumers to make better-informed choices and facili-tates the nutritional comparison of similar foods, including in Switzerland. However, the population survey reveals that it is not yet the participants’ go-to tool to help them choose healthier foods, as only 2.5% mention it. 32.3% are aware of Nutri-Score and what it stands for, while 23.4% are aware of it without knowing what it means. After being shown the logo, 69.2% of respondents recognise it. 70.8% find it easy to understand and 79.6% find it useful if they want to know the nutritional quality of a product. In general, Nutri-Score is better known in French-speaking Switzerland and among young peo-ple, city dwellers, high-income households and people with a high level of education. Nutri-Score also has the potential to encourage the food industry to innovate or reformulate its portfolio in order to offer products of better nutritional quality. Among the companies using Nutri-Score, the majority report adopting it to increase transparency, to help consumers make choices and also to high-light their own efforts to reformulate products. Indeed, half say they have already formulated new prod-ucts taking it into account. Its adoption entails costs, with the median cost of the mandatory activities (registration and inclusion on packaging) being estimated at CHF 116 per item. Additional costs may incur if the company decides to reformulate certain products or to launch communication measures. The costs, the need for staff training and the time constraints are cited as the main challenges. Of the companies not using Nutri-Score, 78% view it unfavourably. The main reasons given relate to the algo-rithm. Finally, most companies (whether or not they use Nutri-Score) believe that current awareness among the population is inadequate. It seems possible to improve its effectiveness if combined with accompanying measures. For example, consumers’ nutritional skills and interest in healthy eating should continue to be developed. Campaigns to raise awareness of Nutri-Score among the population should be organised now that more products bear the logo. At the same time, to encourage the use of Nutri-Score on more brands, it would be necessary to provide more information and guidance documents for companies and to optimise certain procedures. These adjustments would save companies time and limit some of the costs. Finally, moni-toring the data related to Nutri-Score would make it possible to track its effectiveness and to take new measures if necessary. The introduction of Nutri-Score cannot be seen as a single measure in isolation. It is one of several factors involved in implementing the Swiss Nutrition Strategy. Its effects depend on other activities, such as strengthening the nutritional skills of the population. It therefore appears important to combine Nutri-Score with other measures. Keywords: Nutri-Score, front-of-package nutrition labelling, Switzerland, consumer, food industry, costs
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