The Foundation of Nutrient Profile Models (NPMs)
At its core, a Nutrient Profile Model (NPM) is an algorithm designed to objectively assess the nutritional quality of food and drink products. It does this by assigning a numerical score or categorizing items based on a predefined set of criteria. The primary goal of an NPM is to differentiate healthier products from those considered less healthy, particularly those high in fat, sugar, and salt (HFSS). The model balances positive and negative nutritional components to produce a single, composite score. This score then informs various regulatory and public health initiatives.
How an NPM Scoring System Works
NPM scoring systems typically use a points-based algorithm. Points are awarded for components that should be limited in a healthy diet, such as energy, saturated fat, total sugar, and sodium. Conversely, points are deducted for desirable components like protein, fiber, and the presence of fruits, vegetables, nuts, and legumes.
For example, the UK Nutrient Profile Model (UK NPM), often called the Ofcom model, uses this very system. The total score is calculated by summing the 'A' points (for undesirable nutrients) and subtracting the 'C' points (for desirable components). A higher overall score indicates a less healthy product. The resulting score then determines if a product is classified as HFSS and, thus, subject to marketing restrictions.
Example Scoring Components:
- 'A' Points (Nutrients to limit):
- Energy (calories)
- Saturated Fat
- Sugar
- Sodium (Salt)
- 'C' Points (Nutrients to encourage):
- Fiber
- Protein
- Fruit, Vegetables, and Nuts
Key Applications of NPMs in Nutrition Diet and Policy
NPMs are not just theoretical tools; they have practical, real-world applications that directly impact how consumers interact with food and how public health goals are pursued.
Front-of-Pack Labeling (FOPL): Many countries use NPMs to underpin their FOPL schemes. These labels, such as France's Nutri-Score, Australia and New Zealand's Health Star Rating, or the UK's Traffic Light system, provide a visual guide to a product's nutritional quality at a glance. This helps consumers make quicker, more informed purchasing decisions. FOPL schemes can use color coding, star ratings, or warning symbols based on an NPM's criteria.
Marketing and Advertising Restrictions: A primary application is the regulation of marketing for HFSS products, particularly when targeting children. The original UK NPM was developed for this purpose, restricting TV advertising of less healthy foods during children's viewing hours. This policy has since expanded to include online advertising and in-store promotions, shaping the food environment to support healthier choices.
Policy Development and Reformulation: Public health authorities use NPMs to inform the development of broader food policies, including guidelines for school meals, public sector food procurement, and taxation. For food manufacturers, NPMs provide clear, evidence-based targets for product reformulation. By knowing the scoring criteria, companies can adjust ingredients to create healthier products that score lower (or higher, depending on the model) and avoid restrictions.
Other Meanings of NPM in a Nutrition Context
It is important to note that the acronym NPM can have other meanings, especially in the context of international development and health aid. The OECD Nutrition Policy Marker (NPM) is a qualitative reporting tool used by donor institutions to track investments with an explicit nutrition objective. Unlike Nutrient Profile Models, which assess individual products, the OECD marker assesses aid projects, scoring them on a scale (e.g., 2 = Principal objective, 1 = Significant objective, 0 = Not targeted) to track progress towards improving nutrition worldwide. This distinction is crucial to avoid confusion when encountering the acronym in different professional contexts.
A Comparison of Global NPMs
While many NPMs exist, they are often tailored to regional dietary patterns and public health priorities. Below is a table comparing two prominent NPMs.
| Feature | UK Nutrient Profile Model (UK NPM) | Chilean NPM (2019) |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Restrict marketing (HFSS) and promotions to reduce consumption of less healthy foods. | Underpin mandatory warning labels (FOPL) and restrict marketing and sales of products high in critical nutrients. |
| Evaluation Metric | Scoring system balancing 'negative' (energy, sat fat, sugar, sodium) and 'positive' (protein, fiber, FVN) nutrients. | Thresholds for 'nutrients to limit' (energy, total sugar, saturated fat, sodium), only applied to products with added sugar, fat, or salt. |
| Key Components | Energy, saturated fat, total sugar, sodium, protein, fiber, fruit, vegetables, and nuts. | Energy, total sugar, saturated fat, sodium, and non-sugar sweeteners. Does not include 'positive' scoring. |
| Target Population | Primarily developed to protect children from unhealthy food advertising, but applies to general regulations. | All adults and children over six months, with specific restrictions for school-age children. |
| Policy Impact | Used to enforce marketing restrictions (HFSS), influencing in-store placement and online advertising. | Mandates warning labels ('HIGH IN') and prohibits the sale and marketing of these products in schools. |
The Role of NPMs in Shaping Food Environments
By creating a standardized, evidence-based framework for judging food products, NPMs offer several benefits. For regulators, they provide a clear and transparent basis for policy intervention. For businesses, they set clear targets for reformulation and responsible marketing practices. For consumers, they help navigate a complex food environment, making healthier choices more accessible. As public health continues to focus on addressing diet-related diseases, the development and refinement of NPMs, like the ongoing alignment work by the Access to Nutrition Initiative, will remain a critical part of a comprehensive nutrition strategy.
Conclusion
In summary, when asking 'What is NPM in nutrition?', the most common and relevant answer for the general public relates to the Nutrient Profile Model, a scoring tool used to classify food products for regulatory purposes. This powerful system underpins crucial public health measures like front-of-pack labeling and marketing restrictions, aiming to create a healthier food environment. While the acronym also refers to the OECD's Nutrition Policy Marker for tracking aid, understanding the NPM's role in evaluating food products is essential for grasping its impact on diet and public health. This critical tool helps ensure that consumers, policymakers, and food producers all have a consistent, objective standard for assessing nutritional quality, driving positive change in food systems globally.
For more detailed information on the official UK model, visit The Nutrient Profiling Model - GOV.UK.
