What does the Nutri-Score tell you?

January 2, 2026 •

3 min read

Scientific studies show that the Nutri-Score is a highly understandable form of nutritional labeling, helping consumers make more transparent and healthier purchasing decisions. So, what does the Nutri-Score tell you, and how can you use this simple front-of-pack tool to guide your food choices?

Quick Summary

The Nutri-Score is a front-of-pack label that rates food and drinks on a scale from A (healthiest) to E (least healthy), helping consumers compare similar products quickly based on their nutritional quality.

Key Points

At-a-Glance Rating: Nutri-Score is a front-of-pack, color-coded label from A (dark green) to E (dark orange) that provides a quick visual summary of a product's nutritional quality.
Calculated per 100g/ml: The score is based on a calculation of favourable versus unfavourable nutrients for a standard 100-gram or 100-milliliter portion, ensuring consistent comparison.
Compares within Categories: The system is most useful for comparing items within the same category, helping you choose the healthier option among similar foods like cereals or pizzas.
Balances Positive & Negative Nutrients: The score is determined by offsetting positive components (fiber, protein, fruit) against negative ones (calories, sugar, salt, saturated fat).
Not a Full Dietary Guide: It serves as a complementary tool, not a replacement for a balanced diet; foods with a lower score can still be enjoyed in moderation.
Has Known Limitations: The score has been criticized for being potentially misleading for cross-category comparisons and not fully accounting for food processing levels.

How the Nutri-Score System Works

Developed by independent scientists in France and adopted by several European countries, the Nutri-Score system provides an at-a-glance summary of a food product's nutritional quality. It uses a five-level, color-coded scale with corresponding letters, from dark green 'A' to dark orange 'E'. The score is calculated based on the nutritional values of the product per 100 grams or 100 milliliters, allowing for easy comparison between items in the same product category. The greener the score (A or B), the better the nutritional balance, while an orange or red score (D or E) indicates a less favorable composition.

The Nutri-Score Calculation: A Points System

The Nutri-Score is based on an algorithm that weighs "favourable" nutritional components against "unfavourable" ones. A final score is achieved by subtracting positive points (favourable) from negative points (unfavourable), with a lower result indicating a better nutritional rating.

Favourable Nutrients (Positive Points)

Positive points are gained from:

Fibre
Proteins
Fruits, vegetables, pulses, and nuts
Certain oils (rapeseed, walnut, olive)

Unfavourable Nutrients (Negative Points)

Negative points are accumulated from:

Energy (Calories)
Saturated Fatty Acids
Sugars
Salt (Sodium)
Sweeteners (for beverages)

What are the benefits of Nutri-Score?

Simplifies Information: It provides a simple visual guide from complex nutritional data.
Facilitates Comparison: Allows quick comparison of similar items.
Promotes Healthier Choices: Helps identify healthier options more effectively.
Incentivizes Manufacturers: Encourages reformulation for better scores.

Limitations and Criticisms of the Nutri-Score

Nutri-Score has limitations:

Comparison Inconsistency: Not designed for comparing products from different categories (e.g., olive oil vs. soda).
Ignores Processing Level: Does not currently account for the degree of food processing or additives.
Based on 100g/ml: The calculation uses a fixed amount, not serving sizes.
Potential for Manipulation: Manufacturers may manipulate formulas for better scores.
Misrepresentation of Traditional Foods: Can penalize traditional foods naturally high in certain components.

Comparison with Other Food Labeling Systems

Here's a comparison of Nutri-Score with other FOP labels:


Feature	Nutri-Score (France, Germany, etc.)	Multiple Traffic Light (UK)	Health Star Rating (Australia, NZ)
Rating System	Combined color and letter grade (A-E) for overall nutritional quality.	Individual color coding (red, amber, green) for specific nutrients (fat, sugar, salt).	Numeric star rating (0.5 to 5 stars) based on overall nutritional profile.
Basis for Calculation	Balance of favorable (protein, fiber, F&V) and unfavorable (calories, sugar, fat, salt) components per 100g/ml.	Based on levels of specific nutrients per 100g or serving size, depending on manufacturer.	Scores beneficial (protein, fiber, F&V) and risk nutrients (saturated fat, sugar, salt) per 100g.
Clarity	Highly intuitive due to the single, comprehensive indicator.	Offers detail on specific nutrients but can be harder to interpret overall.	Clear, but the half-star increments can be less intuitive than A-E.
Comparison Scope	Designed for comparing products within the same category.	Can provide quick nutrient info, but comparison across categories is difficult.	Allows comparison of products within and across food categories.
Key Benefit	Simplifies complex information into a single, easy-to-understand score.	Highlights specific nutrients to watch out for.	Aims for a broader, more holistic view of product healthiness.

How to use the Nutri-Score effectively

To use Nutri-Score effectively:

Compare only within categories (e.g., cereals with cereals).
Use it as a guide; foods with lower scores can still be part of a balanced diet in moderation.
Supplement with full nutritional information and ingredient lists for a complete view.

Conclusion: A Tool for Informed Choices

Ultimately, what does the Nutri-Score tell you is a product's nutritional standing relative to comparable items. It is a valuable public health tool that simplifies information for consumers. Despite its limitations in cross-category comparison and processing level consideration, its benefits in guiding healthier purchasing decisions and encouraging manufacturer reformulation are significant. Understanding both its strengths and weaknesses empowers consumers to make informed choices that support overall health, ideally used alongside other nutritional information.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, the Nutri-Score system is voluntary for manufacturers in most countries where it is used. However, once a company registers to use it, they must apply it to all products under their registered brand.

Not necessarily. A product with a good Nutri-Score (A or B) has a more favorable nutritional composition compared to similar products, but it doesn't account for all health-related factors like additives, pesticides, or the level of food processing. It should be used as a guide, not a definitive verdict on healthiness.

No, the Nutri-Score is designed for comparing products within the same food category. Comparing items from different categories, such as yogurt and cheese, is not appropriate and can lead to misleading conclusions because the calculation uses specific algorithms for different food types.

This common criticism stems from the fact that Nutri-Score is based on 100ml servings and penalizes high calories and saturated fat. Diet soda has virtually zero calories and fat, giving it a better score (like B). Olive oil, being high in calories and fat, gets a lower score (like C), despite being a source of healthy fat, highlighting a limitation of the system's focus on caloric density.

The scale moves from dark green 'A' for the most nutritionally balanced products, through light green 'B', yellow 'C' for moderate quality, to orange 'D' and red 'E' for the least balanced options. The aim is to provide a quick, traffic-light-style assessment.

Companies can improve a product's Nutri-Score by reformulating it. This can involve reducing the levels of sugar, salt, and saturated fat, or increasing beneficial components such as fiber, fruit, or vegetable content.

Critics claim it can penalize traditional foods like certain cheeses and cured meats. However, the score simply reflects the high fat or salt content in these items, suggesting they be consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet, which aligns with standard dietary advice.