What is the Nutri-Score Scoring System?

November 10, 2025 •

4 min read

First introduced in France in 2017, the Nutri-Score is a voluntary, front-of-pack nutritional labeling system now used across several European countries. This system was designed by independent scientists to simplify complex nutritional information into a clear, color-coded letter grade, making it easier for consumers to compare the nutritional quality of products at a glance.

Quick Summary

The Nutri-Score uses a simple five-letter, color-coded system (A-E) to rate the nutritional quality of packaged foods based on a scientific algorithm. It helps consumers compare products within a category and was revised in 2024 to better reflect current dietary recommendations.

Key Points

Color-Coded Grade: The Nutri-Score translates a product's nutritional quality into a simple five-level, color-coded letter system from A (best) to E (worst).
Positive vs. Negative: The score is calculated by offsetting points for 'unfavorable' elements (like sugar, salt, saturated fats, and energy) against 'favorable' ones (such as fibre, protein, and fruit/vegetable content).
Comparison Tool: It serves as a quick comparison tool for consumers to assess products within the same food category and make healthier purchasing decisions.
Voluntary System: While adoption is voluntary for food producers, once they register a brand, they must apply the label to all products under that brand in a participating country.
Scientific Basis: Developed by independent scientists, the system's algorithm has undergone updates (most recently in 2024) to reflect the latest dietary guidelines and public health knowledge.
Portion Size Limitation: A common criticism is that the score is calculated per 100g/100ml, which does not reflect the actual portion size consumed for certain products.

How the Nutri-Score Algorithm Works

At its core, the Nutri-Score scoring system operates on a simple principle: it deducts points for 'unfavorable' nutrients and adds points for 'favorable' ones, resulting in a single score for every 100g or 100ml of a food product. The final score corresponds to a letter grade from A (dark green, highest nutritional quality) to E (dark orange, lowest nutritional quality). This provides an easy-to-understand visual cue right on the front of the packaging, complementing the detailed nutritional table typically found on the back.

The calculation, refined in a 2024 update, considers several factors:

Negative Points (Nutrients to Limit)

These components contribute to a higher, less favorable score. The algorithm assigns negative points based on the content per 100g/ml for:

Energy (kJ): The total caloric content.
Saturated Fatty Acids: Often linked to poor cardiovascular health.
Sugars: Both added and naturally occurring sugars are considered.
Salt (Sodium): High sodium levels are associated with increased blood pressure.

Positive Points (Nutrients to Favor)

These ingredients contribute to a lower, more favorable score. The system rewards products with high levels of:

Proteins: Essential macronutrients.
Fibre: Important for digestive health.
Fruits, Vegetables, and Nuts: The proportion of these ingredients in the product is a key factor, including rapeseed, walnut, and olive oils.

How the Score Translates to a Grade

Point Calculation: Negative points (from unfavorable nutrients) are totaled.
Offsetting: Positive points (from favorable components) are subtracted from the negative points.
Final Grade: The resulting score is mapped to the five-letter, color-coded scale (A-E).

Nutri-Score in Practice: Adoption and Controversy

First implemented in France in 2017, the system has since been officially adopted by several other European countries, including Germany, Belgium, Spain, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Switzerland. The label is voluntary for food producers, but once a company registers a brand, it must apply the label to all products under that brand to prevent 'cherry-picking' only the healthier items.

Despite its widespread adoption, the Nutri-Score scoring system is not without criticism. Opponents argue the 100g/100ml base can be misleading, especially for products like cheese or olive oil that are consumed in smaller quantities. For example, a high-fat but nutritionally sound oil could receive a lower grade than a diet soda, potentially confusing consumers. Proponents counter that the label's purpose is to allow comparison within a food category, and that recent algorithm updates have improved the grading of fats.

Comparison: Nutri-Score vs. Other Labels

To understand the Nutri-Score scoring system fully, it helps to compare it to other nutritional labeling methods. This table highlights key differences and similarities.


Feature	Nutri-Score (Europe)	Traffic Light (UK)	Health Star Rating (Australia/NZ)
Rating System	Overall score (A-E) and color code.	Multiple colored lights (red, amber, green) for individual nutrients.	Overall score (0.5-5 stars).
Rating Basis	Single, complex algorithm combining favorable and unfavorable components per 100g/ml.	Based on levels of fat, saturated fat, sugars, and salt per 100g/ml.	Algorithmic score considers energy, specific nutrients, and positive components.
Visual Clarity	Very high; single, easy-to-understand visual.	High; uses universal traffic light colors.	High; star rating is intuitive.
Comparison Method	Easiest for comparing similar products at a glance.	Requires comparing multiple colored lights.	Allows for quick comparison based on star count.
Drawback	Critics argue it can penalize certain minimally processed, high-fat foods and doesn't account for portion size.	Can be overwhelming with multiple indicators; might not provide a single 'overall' assessment.	Scoring can be perceived as counter-intuitive by some; voluntary adoption can be inconsistent.

Scientific Validation and Consumer Impact

Numerous scientific studies have validated the effectiveness of the Nutri-Score in helping consumers, even those with limited nutritional knowledge, to identify and compare the nutritional quality of products. Research shows that consumers using the Nutri-Score system have a higher capacity to choose more nutritionally favorable foods and that this label can positively influence purchasing decisions. This has been linked to a potential reduction in the risk of nutrition-related chronic diseases over the long term.

The label is also seen as an incentive for manufacturers to reformulate products to achieve a better score, contributing to an overall healthier food supply. The ongoing revision of the algorithm reflects a commitment to adapting to scientific developments and public health needs.

For more detailed information on Nutri-Score and its scientific basis, visit Santé publique France.

Conclusion

The Nutri-Score scoring system provides a scientifically-backed, color-coded labeling system designed to empower consumers to make more informed food choices quickly. By summarizing complex nutritional data into a simple letter grade (A-E), it helps shoppers compare products, especially within the same category. While it faces some criticism regarding its potential to misinterpret certain products and its exclusion of portion size, research indicates it is a highly effective public health tool. The recent algorithmic updates further demonstrate the system's dedication to remaining aligned with modern dietary guidelines. Ultimately, the Nutri-Score serves as a powerful visual guide for a healthier diet, working alongside mandatory nutritional information to foster better consumer decisions and encourage product reformulation by manufacturers.

Nutri-Score Algorithmic Update 2024

The latest update to the Nutri-Score algorithm, effective in participating countries since early 2024, reflects refined scientific understanding and public health objectives. Key changes include:

Better fatty acid differentiation: Refined scoring for different oils, favoring olive, rapeseed, and walnut oils.
Stricter sugar and salt criteria: Tighter standards for products high in sugar and salt.
Improved dairy scoring: A more nuanced approach to milk and dairy products, leading to higher scores for semi-skimmed and skimmed varieties.
Sweetener consideration: Sweetened beverages, including those with non-nutritive sweeteners, now receive less favorable scores to discourage overconsumption.

This evolution demonstrates the system's dynamic nature and its responsiveness to ongoing dietary recommendations and challenges in the food supply.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Nutri-Score is a front-of-pack nutritional label used in several European countries. It uses a five-letter, color-coded scale from A (best) to E (worst) to provide a single, simplified indicator of a product's overall nutritional quality, helping consumers make healthier choices.

The score is calculated based on the nutritional content per 100g or 100ml. It balances 'favorable' components, like fibre, protein, fruit, and vegetables, against 'unfavorable' ones, such as energy, saturated fat, sugar, and salt.

The color scale ranges from dark green (A) to dark orange (E). Dark green (A) signifies a higher nutritional quality, light green (B) is good, yellow (C) is neutral, orange (D) is less favorable, and dark orange (E) indicates the lowest nutritional quality.

As of late 2025, Nutri-Score is officially recommended and used in France, Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Spain, Portugal, and Switzerland.

No, it is a voluntary system. However, once a company registers one brand, it commits to applying the label to all product categories under that brand within participating countries.

Critics argue that calculating the score per 100g/100ml, rather than per portion, can disadvantage certain healthy items like olive oil (due to high fat content) compared to some processed goods. Recent algorithm updates aim to address some of these nuances.

The Nutri-Score is most effective for comparing products within the same food category (e.g., comparing different types of breakfast cereals or yogurts), rather than comparing vastly different items like soda and olive oil.