What is the Nutri-Grade System?
Introduced by Singapore's Health Promotion Board, the Nutri-Grade system is a mandatory, colour-coded labelling scheme that provides consumers with at-a-glance information about the sugar and saturated fat content in their beverages. The goal is to encourage the public to make more informed and healthier choices, especially with beverages being a primary source of dietary sugar in Singapore.
The Nutri-Grade mark is now visible on most packaged drinks and on menus for freshly prepared drinks like bubble tea, kopi, and fruit juices. From mid-2027, the system will also extend to other pre-packaged food categories such as sauces, seasonings, and instant noodles, with a new focus on sodium.
Breaking Down the Grades and Colours
The Nutri-Grade system uses a four-tier scale, each represented by a letter and a colour.
- Grade A (Dark Green): Healthiest options with the lowest sugar (≤ 1g/100ml) and saturated fat (≤ 0.7g/100ml) with no sweeteners. Optional labelling.
- Grade B (Light Green): Healthy options with low sugar (>1g to ≤5g/100ml) and saturated fat (>0.7g to ≤1.2g/100ml). Optional labelling.
- Grade C (Orange): Contains significant sugar (>5g to ≤10g/100ml) or saturated fat (>1.2g to ≤2.8g/100ml). Mandatory labelling.
- Grade D (Red): Least healthy options with highest sugar (>10g/100ml) or saturated fat (>2.8g/100ml). Mandatory labelling and advertising restrictions.
How the Final Grade is Determined
The final Nutri-Grade is based on the single lowest (worst) grade achieved for either sugar or saturated fat. The label highlights the nutrient primarily responsible for the grade.
What the Percentage (%) on the Label Means
The Nutri-Grade mark also displays the percentage of total sugar per 100ml, providing specific data for comparison. This percentage is rounded based on the Nutrition Information Panel (NIP).
Interpreting Nutri-Grade on Different Products
Reading Packaged Beverage Labels
The Nutri-Grade mark is on the front of packaged drinks, showing the grade, colour, and sugar percentage. A full Nutrition Information Panel (NIP) is also required for detailed information.
Understanding Freshly Prepared Beverage Menus
Freshly prepared drinks must display the Nutri-Grade mark on menus. Toppings will have a separate sugar declaration mark.
The Impact of Sugar Substitutes
Using sweeteners can limit a beverage's grade to no better than a B, even with low sugar content.
How Nutri-Grade Compares to Other Systems
| Feature | Singapore Nutri-Grade | European Nutri-Score | Australian Health Star Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Focus | Specifically on sugar and saturated fat in beverages; extending to other items with sodium. | Overall nutritional quality, balancing beneficial and detrimental nutrients. | Overall nutritional quality, rating on a 0.5 to 5-star scale. |
| Grading Scale | A (green), B (light green), C (orange), D (red). | A to E, with a five-colour scale from dark green to dark orange/red. | 0.5 to 5 stars, with higher stars indicating better health ratings. |
| Voluntary vs. Mandatory | Mandatory for Grade C & D, optional for A & B. | Voluntary. | Voluntary. |
| Product Scope | Beverages (pre-packaged and freshly prepared), extending to sauces, oils, etc., from 2027. | Wide range of processed foods and drinks. | Wide range of packaged foods. |
| Comparison | Simplifies choices for specific nutrient concerns (sugar, saturated fat). | Provides a holistic, overall health rating. | Uses a star system to provide a single, easy-to-digest metric. |
Conclusion: Making Smarter Choices with the Nutri-Grade Label
Understanding the Nutri-Grade label helps in making informed decisions about beverages. The colour-coded grades and sugar percentage make it easy to identify healthier options and limit those high in sugar and saturated fat, supporting efforts to combat diet-related health issues.
