What is a Nutrient Profiling System (NPS)?
In nutrition, NPS stands for Nutrient Profiling System. This refers to a scientific method of classifying or ranking foods based on their nutritional composition to promote health and prevent disease. It's distinct from the Net Promoter Score used in marketing. These systems use algorithms to weigh a food's 'desirable' nutrients against its 'undesirable' ones, creating a single, easy-to-understand score or label. These profiles are used for various public health applications, including front-of-pack labeling, marketing regulations, and to guide food reformulation by manufacturers.
How Do Nutrient Profiling Systems Work?
An NPS calculates a food's nutritional value by comparing its content of certain nutrients. While methodologies vary, the fundamental principle involves a points-based system that balances positive and negative nutritional attributes.
The Calculation of a Typical NPS Score
Generally, points are allocated for nutrients like saturated fat, sugar, sodium, and energy (calories) that should be limited. Points are awarded for beneficial components like dietary fiber, protein, and the percentage of fruits, vegetables, and nuts. The final score, often a result of subtracting the 'good' points from the 'bad' points, indicates the overall nutritional quality. The Nutri-Score model, for example, is calculated per 100 grams of food or 100 milliliters of beverage. Lower scores reflect higher nutritional quality and are assigned a green 'A' label, while higher scores indicate lower quality with a red 'E' label.
Factors Considered in NPS Algorithms
Key factors in NPS algorithms often include:
- Energy (kJ or kcal): Higher energy density can contribute negatively.
- Saturated Fatty Acids (g): High levels are typically penalized.
- Sugars (g): Sugar content often negatively affects the score.
- Sodium (mg): Higher sodium levels reduce the score.
- Dietary Fiber (g): Fiber is a beneficial component that increases the score.
- Protein (g): Generally positive, though some models apply conditional scoring.
- Fruit, Vegetables, Nuts, and Legumes (%): A higher percentage typically boosts the score.
Comparison of Different Nutrient Profiling Systems
Different regions and organizations have developed their own NPS models. While sharing common objectives, their scoring mechanisms and reference bases can differ.
| Feature | Nutri-Score (FSAm-NPS) | Nutrient Profiling Scoring Criterion (NPSC) | Meiji NPS (Japan) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Application | Front-of-pack labeling in Europe (five-color coded label: A-E). | Regulatory tool in Australia and New Zealand for determining eligibility for health claims and specific ingredient allowances. | Product development and consumer information for specific life stages in Japan. |
| Scoring Basis | Per 100g or 100mL of food/beverage. | Per 100g, often with different criteria for specific food categories. | Per serving size, considering health issues for different life stages. |
| Focus | Prevention of chronic diseases like cancer and cardiovascular disease. | Regulatory compliance and prevention of misleading health claims. | Addresses country-specific and life-stage health issues, like frailty in older adults and lifestyle-related diseases. |
| Key Components | Energy, saturated fat, sugars, sodium (negative); fiber, protein, fruit, vegetables, nuts (positive). | Energy, saturated fat, sugar, sodium (negative); fruit, vegetables, nuts, legumes, fiber, protein (positive). | Recommended (protein, fiber, vitamin D) and limited (sugar, saturated fat, salt) components tailored for specific life stages. |
Applications and Impact of NPS
NPS models have broad applications in public health policy, marketing regulations, and the food industry.
How NPS Influences Public Health Policy
Public health bodies use NPS to guide policies promoting healthier diets. Some governments use NPS to restrict marketing of less healthy foods to children. The Nutri-Score, based on FSAm-NPS, is used in several European countries to encourage better food choices. Studies support the use of NPS scores to identify foods linked to higher risks of diseases like cancer.
Impact on the Food Industry and Consumers
For consumers, NPS offers a quick guide to a product's nutritional quality, aiding informed shopping decisions. This simplifies complex nutritional information. For the food industry, NPS incentivizes reformulating products to reduce undesirable ingredients and increase beneficial ones. This leads to a healthier food supply.
Limitations and Considerations
NPS has limitations. Critics note that many systems simplify nutrition too much, overlooking the complexity of overall diet and food processing. Some models may give lower scores to nutrient-dense foods like cheese or nuts due to fat or sodium. The Food Compass system attempts a broader approach but has also faced scrutiny. Nutritional needs vary globally, making a universal NPS challenging.
Conclusion: Navigating Your Diet with NPS Knowledge
Understanding what is NPS in nutrition is crucial for informed consumer choices. Nutrient Profiling Systems are valuable tools simplifying complex nutritional data and supporting public health. They provide clear, science-based rankings, enabling faster, more confident decisions. Using NPS information alongside a balanced understanding of food groups can effectively guide your diet towards healthier options, supporting overall health.
Understanding the Basics of NPS for Better Nutrition
Nutrient Profiling System: NPS in nutrition is a scientific method for classifying foods based on their nutritional composition to guide consumers toward healthier choices.
Balancing Act: An NPS algorithm calculates a food's score by weighing the quantity of 'negative' nutrients against 'positive' ones.
Not a Business Metric: The nutrition NPS is entirely different from the Net Promoter Score used in business for customer loyalty; it focuses on the healthfulness of a food product.
Influences Policy and Reformulation: NPS serves as a foundational tool for public health policies and guidelines for food manufacturers to improve their products.
Varying Global Models: Several NPS models exist worldwide, such as the Nutri-Score in Europe and the NPSC in Australia/New Zealand, each with specific algorithms and applications.
Guides Consumer Decisions: On-package labels based on NPS, like the Nutri-Score, provide simplified information to help consumers make healthier choices quickly.
Promotes Health: Evidence shows that consuming more foods with better NPS scores is associated with a lower risk of chronic diseases and overall mortality.
Outbound link: {Link: International Agency for Research on Cancer https://www.iarc.who.int/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/IARC_Evidence_Summary_Brief_2.pdf}
Conclusion
Navigating the world of nutrition can be complex, but tools like the Nutrient Profiling System provide a clear, science-backed method for simplifying the decision-making process. By creating a standardized system to evaluate and rank foods, NPS empowers consumers to make healthier choices and pushes the food industry toward producing more nutritious products. While it is not the sole determinant of a healthy diet, understanding the NPS framework is a valuable step towards a more informed and health-conscious approach to eating.
