What is the difference between Nutri-Score and health star rating?

Food labeling systems vary globally, with many countries adopting front-of-pack labels to help consumers make healthier choices. Understanding what is the difference between Nutri-Score and health star rating is key for consumers in regions where these systems are used.

Quick Summary

This article compares the Nutri-Score and Health Star Rating systems, detailing their visual differences, underlying calculation methods, and intended use for evaluating food products based on nutritional quality.

Key Points

• Visuals: Nutri-Score uses a color-coded letter system (A-E), while Health Star Rating uses a star system (½-5).

• Comparison Scope: Nutri-Score is useful for broad comparisons across different product categories, whereas HSR is best for comparing similar products.

• Calculation: Both systems use an algorithm that balances 'unfavorable' nutrients like sugar and saturated fat against 'favorable' ones like fiber and protein.

• Regional Use: Nutri-Score is prominent in several European countries (e.g., France, Germany), while HSR is used primarily in Australia and New Zealand.

• Incentive: Both schemes incentivize food companies to reformulate products to achieve better nutritional scores.

• Voluntary Nature: The voluntary nature of both systems can lead to 'cherry-picking,' where manufacturers only display favorable scores.

Introduction to Front-of-Pack Nutrition Labels

Front-of-pack (FOP) nutrition labels are designed to simplify complex nutritional information found on the back of food packaging. This helps consumers quickly assess the healthiness of products while shopping. Among the most prominent systems used globally are the Nutri-Score, popular in several European countries, and the Health Star Rating (HSR), used in Australia and New Zealand. While both aim to guide consumers toward healthier choices, their methodologies and visual representations have key differences that affect how consumers interpret them.

The Nutri-Score System Explained

The Nutri-Score is a five-color, letter-coded system ranging from dark green 'A' (healthiest) to dark orange 'E' (least healthy). It provides an overall assessment of a product's nutritional quality based on a single, comprehensive score. The score is calculated per 100 grams or 100 milliliters of the product, balancing 'favorable' and 'unfavorable' nutrients.

How Nutri-Score is Calculated

• Negative Points: Points are awarded for nutrients that should be limited, such as energy (kilojoules), total sugars, saturated fatty acids, and sodium (salt).
• Positive Points: Points are given for beneficial components that should be encouraged, including dietary fiber, protein, and the percentage of fruits, vegetables, nuts, and legumes.
• Final Score: The negative points are offset by the positive points. The resulting final score determines the product's letter and color rating. For example, a product high in fiber and low in sugar might receive an 'A', while a high-sugar, high-fat product might get an 'E'.
• Application: Nutri-Score is intended to be used for comparing products across different categories, though its effectiveness is often highlighted when comparing similar products. For example, a breakfast cereal can be compared with another breakfast cereal, and a pizza can be compared with a soup.

The Health Star Rating (HSR) System Explained

The Health Star Rating system, used primarily in Australia and New Zealand, assigns a star rating from ½ to 5 stars, where more stars indicate a healthier option. Like Nutri-Score, it assesses a product's overall nutritional profile using a balancing algorithm.

How Health Star Rating is Calculated

• Negative Factors: The calculation considers negative aspects such as energy (kilojoules), saturated fat, sodium, and total sugars.
• Positive Factors: These are balanced against positive attributes like the content of fruit, vegetables, nuts, and legumes (FVNL), dietary fiber, and protein.
• Rating: A product's score is calculated per 100 grams or 100 milliliters using a calculator and strict guidelines.
• Application: A key difference in its intended use is that HSR is primarily for comparing similar packaged foods. For instance, comparing one brand of muesli with another, but not comparing a muesli with a can of soup.

Comparison of Nutri-Score and Health Star Rating

Feature	Nutri-Score	Health Star Rating (HSR)
Visual Representation	A five-color (green to red) scale with corresponding letters (A to E).	A star-based system ranging from ½ to 5 stars.
Calculation Basis	Balances 'unfavorable' (energy, sugar, saturated fat, salt) vs. 'favorable' (fiber, protein, fruit, veg, nuts) components per 100g/mL.	Balances 'risk nutrients' (energy, saturated fat, sodium, sugar) vs. 'positive ingredients' (FVNL, fiber, protein) per 100g/mL.
Comparison Scope	Generally intended for comparison across and within food categories.	Primarily intended for comparing similar products within the same category (e.g., cereals to cereals).
Algorithm Sophistication	The algorithm has specific adjustments for different food types, such as cheese, oils, and beverages, and undergoes periodic updates based on scientific evidence.	The algorithm also uses different calculation methods for different food classes to ensure fair comparison.
Perceived Effectiveness	Studies suggest Nutri-Score is effective at capturing consumer attention and influencing purchase intentions.	Research indicates HSR may have a lower impact on grabbing attention and affecting purchasing decisions compared to Nutri-Score.
Voluntary vs. Mandatory	Voluntary in countries that have adopted it, though implementation can be inconsistent.	Voluntary for manufacturers in Australia and New Zealand.

Limitations and Consumer Interpretation

Both systems, despite their effectiveness, have limitations. Since they are often voluntary, manufacturers might only display the label on products that score favorably, a practice known as 'cherry-picking'. This can lead to a skewed perception of the overall healthiness of a brand's product line. For instance, it's more common to see high-scoring products like breakfast cereals with a high HSR, but less common to see low-scoring items like soft drinks or chips labeled with their low score.

Furthermore, neither system is a substitute for reading the full nutritional information panel and ingredient list. Nutri-Score and HSR both provide a snapshot of a product's nutrient profile, but may not account for factors like processing, additives, or specific micronutrient content. A product with a high score isn't an excuse to consume excessively large portions.

The Impact on Food Reformulation

One of the positive consequences of these labeling systems is the incentive for food companies to improve the nutritional profile of their products. By tweaking ingredients to achieve a better score, manufacturers can make their products more appealing to health-conscious consumers. For example, a company might reduce the saturated fat or sugar content in a cereal to move from a 'C' to a 'B' on the Nutri-Score scale or gain an extra star in the HSR system. This creates a market-driven push towards healthier food options.

Conclusion: Choosing the Right Tool for You

The core difference between Nutri-Score and health star rating lies in their visual presentation and, to some extent, their intended comparative scope. Nutri-Score's traffic light colors and letters are highly visible and designed for broader comparison, while the star system of HSR is more suited for comparing similar items side-by-side. Both systems are valuable tools for making quicker, more informed decisions in a busy supermarket environment by simplifying complex nutritional data. Ultimately, the best choice for you depends on your location and shopping habits, but understanding both will help you better navigate the packaged food aisle.

For more information on the Health Star Rating system, visit the official Australian website: healthstarrating.gov.au

Frequently Asked Questions

Which food labeling system is better?

There is no single 'better' system, as effectiveness depends on consumer familiarity and a country's dietary guidelines. Research suggests Nutri-Score may be more attention-grabbing due to its bold color scale, but both are effective tools for simplifying nutrition information.

Are these labels mandatory for manufacturers?

No, both Nutri-Score and Health Star Rating are generally voluntary for food manufacturers. This means you may not see a rating on every packaged food product.

Can I use Nutri-Score or HSR to compare a breakfast cereal to a yoghurt?

Nutri-Score is designed for comparison across product categories, though comparing similar items is still the most direct use. HSR, however, is explicitly designed for comparing similar products only, such as one breakfast cereal brand against another.

Why would a product high in sugar get a decent rating?

These systems balance 'unfavorable' nutrients against 'favorable' ones. A product high in sugar but also high in fiber or protein (like certain breakfast cereals) might achieve a surprisingly high score. The algorithm weighs multiple factors, not just one ingredient.

Do these labels account for food additives or processing?

The Nutri-Score and HSR algorithms focus on macro-nutrients and specific components like fiber and FVNL content. They do not account for the degree of food processing, the presence of additives, or other factors important to some consumers.

Why isn't a high-rated product always the healthiest choice?

A high star or A-rating indicates a better nutritional profile compared to similar products. However, it does not mean it should be consumed in large quantities or replaces whole foods. A 5-star cereal, for instance, is healthier than a 1-star cereal but should still be part of a balanced diet that includes fresh foods.

Do the scores change over time?

Yes, the algorithms are periodically reviewed and updated by scientific committees to align with current nutritional science and dietary guidelines. For example, Nutri-Score implemented an updated algorithm in 2024 to better classify certain products.