Which Countries Use the Nutri-Score?

December 21, 2025 •

5 min read

Over 7 European countries have officially adopted the Nutri-Score, the simplified front-of-pack food label that helps consumers make healthier choices. The Nutri-Score, with its five-color and letter-graded system, has been implemented on a voluntary basis in several nations, with some outside Europe even considering a similar model. The label's increasing popularity underscores a global shift towards clearer, more accessible nutritional information.

Quick Summary

Several European countries, including France, Belgium, Germany, and Spain, have officially adopted the Nutri-Score on a voluntary basis. The system simplifies nutritional information to help consumers compare products easily, supported by a transnational governance structure. Some non-European nations are also exploring similar labelling, though widespread mandatory adoption remains a debated topic.

Key Points

Core Adopters: France, Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Spain, and Switzerland have officially endorsed the Nutri-Score label.
Voluntary System: In Europe, Nutri-Score is a voluntary label for companies, although many brands have adopted it to attract health-conscious consumers.
Mandatory Push: Consumer groups advocate for a mandatory, EU-wide Nutri-Score to ensure all food products are transparently labeled, not just the healthier ones.
International Expansion: Interest in Nutri-Score extends beyond Europe, with countries like the UAE implementing similar mandatory labeling systems.
Regular Updates: The Nutri-Score algorithm is scientifically reviewed and updated periodically to ensure its continued accuracy and relevance to modern dietary guidelines.
Government Collaboration: Endorsing countries participate in a transnational governance structure to coordinate implementation and scientific updates.
Industry Motivation: The system encourages food manufacturers to reformulate products to achieve a more favorable nutritional rating.
Public Health Tool: The Nutri-Score was designed to combat diet-related health issues by simplifying nutritional information for quick consumer comparison.

European Adoption of Nutri-Score

The Nutri-Score system originated in France and was officially adopted in 2017. Since then, a number of other European countries have followed suit, recognizing its value in public health campaigns aimed at reducing diet-related diseases. The system assigns a score from 'A' (dark green) for the most nutritionally favorable foods to 'E' (dark orange) for the least. This voluntary label is managed by a transnational governance structure, which ensures coordinated implementation and ongoing scientific oversight across participating nations.

The implementation of Nutri-Score, while voluntary for companies in many of these countries, encourages food manufacturers to reformulate products to achieve a better score, benefiting consumers. The system calculates a product's score based on both beneficial components (fruits, vegetables, protein, fibre) and unfavorable ones (calories, sugar, salt, saturated fats). Updates to the algorithm, such as those finalized in 2023, ensure the system aligns with the latest scientific findings.

Countries Officially Endorsing Nutri-Score

As of 2025, several countries have officially recommended and are engaged in the governance of Nutri-Score, including:

France: The country of origin, which first adopted the label in 2017.
Belgium: Implemented the system in 2018, seeing growing consumer knowledge and corporate adoption.
Germany: Introduced Nutri-Score in late 2020 after a comprehensive evaluation and consumer research.
Luxembourg: Officially adopted the label in 2021.
The Netherlands: Began using the Nutri-Score logo on January 1, 2024, after studies showed its effectiveness.
Spain: Officially adopted the label in 2021, launching campaigns to raise public awareness.
Portugal: Adopted Nutri-Score in April 2024, joining the growing list of endorsing nations.
Switzerland: Outside the EU, Switzerland is also a member of the transnational governance and adopted the system in 2019.

Voluntary Usage and Growing International Interest

The voluntary nature of Nutri-Score is a key feature in countries that have adopted it. This means while companies are not legally required to use it, many choose to do so to appeal to health-conscious consumers. The label’s competitive advantage has led some food companies in other countries, like Slovenia, Austria, and Ukraine, to display the label even without official government recommendation. Furthermore, the label has sparked international attention beyond Europe, including discussions and studies in countries such as China and the UAE.

The Debate on Mandatory Implementation

Advocates, such as the consumer organization foodwatch, have pushed for the Nutri-Score to become a mandatory, EU-wide front-of-pack label. This is because under the current voluntary system, manufacturers of products with poor nutritional scores may simply choose not to display the label, creating a biased view of the market. This was a key debate during the development of the EU's Farm to Fork Strategy. Mandatory labeling would provide a level playing field and more complete information for consumers. However, some countries, particularly Italy, have voiced opposition, promoting alternative systems like the NutrInform Battery.

Comparison of Voluntary vs. Mandatory FOPNL


Aspect	Voluntary Nutri-Score	Mandatory EU-wide Nutri-Score (Proposed)
Current Status	Deployed in multiple countries where companies can opt-in to label products.	Awaiting EU-wide legislation, championed by consumer groups and some member states.
Consumer Information	Patchy and inconsistent; only products from willing manufacturers display the label.	Consistent and comprehensive across all eligible food products, aiding informed choices.
Manufacturer Incentive	Provides a competitive advantage for products with good scores, encouraging some reformulation.	Creates universal pressure for product reformulation, with no hiding of poor nutritional quality.
Market Competition	Can be skewed, as companies with less healthy products may opt out of labeling.	Ensures fair competition by standardizing nutritional transparency for all manufacturers.
Regulatory Framework	Coordinated by a transnational steering and scientific committee for endorsing countries.	Would be based on a single, binding European law, simplifying regulations for manufacturers operating across the EU.

Conclusion

The Nutri-Score system has evolved from a French public health initiative into a significant transnational food labeling effort, officially adopted by several key European countries. Its voluntary implementation has successfully increased nutritional transparency and encouraged some product reformulation. However, the debate over its voluntary versus mandatory status highlights ongoing challenges in creating a uniformly transparent food market. While Nutri-Score’s simple, color-coded scale is demonstrably effective at helping consumers make healthier decisions, its full potential relies on consistent and comprehensive application across markets. As discussions continue at both national and European levels, the list of countries using Nutri-Score may continue to grow, signaling a broader commitment to public health.

Foodwatch and Mandatory Labeling

Consumer advocacy groups like foodwatch actively campaign for mandatory, EU-wide Nutri-Score implementation. They argue that the current voluntary system allows manufacturers of unhealthier foods to avoid labeling, undermining the system's effectiveness and consumer trust. For more information on their campaigns and a deeper dive into the politics behind food labeling in Europe, visit foodwatch.org.

The Nutri-Mark in the UAE

In a notable international development, the Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council introduced a mandatory food labeling system called Nutri-Mark, which closely mirrors the Nutri-Score model. Starting in 2025, it requires certain product categories to display the label, demonstrating interest in similar health initiatives beyond Europe.

Ongoing Algorithm Updates

The Nutri-Score algorithm is not static. An independent scientific committee reviews and updates it to reflect evolving nutritional science. A revised algorithm was implemented in early 2024, with updates including a better scoring for healthy products like oily fish and a stricter evaluation of sugary items. This commitment to scientific integrity ensures the label remains a relevant tool for public health.

The Role of Open Food Facts

Platforms like Open Food Facts track the real-world usage of Nutri-Score across various countries. These databases show the number of brands and products displaying the label, offering a transparent look into its market penetration and voluntary adoption rates. This crowdsourced data provides valuable insights into how effectively the labeling system is being adopted by the industry.

Challenges and Industry Resistance

Despite its benefits, Nutri-Score faces resistance. Some sectors of the food industry, especially those with products that tend to receive a low score, have lobbied against its widespread adoption. This opposition underscores the tension between public health goals and commercial interests within the food market. The ongoing debate in the EU reflects this conflict, with legislative progress facing significant hurdles.

Frequently Asked Questions

France, Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Spain, Portugal, and Switzerland are the countries that have officially adopted and endorsed the Nutri-Score labeling system.

No, in most officially endorsing countries, including France and Germany, Nutri-Score remains a voluntary label for food companies to use. Manufacturers are not legally required to display it, though many choose to.

The primary goal is to help consumers make more informed and healthier food choices by providing a clear, color-coded nutritional summary on the front of food packaging.

The score is calculated based on a scientific algorithm that weighs positive nutritional elements (like fiber, protein, and fruits/vegetables) against negative elements (calories, sugar, salt, saturated fats) in 100 grams or ml of a product.

Yes, an updated algorithm for Nutri-Score was implemented in participating countries in early 2024 to better reflect current dietary guidelines and improve product classifications.

While Nutri-Score originated in Europe, its model has gained international attention. The UAE, specifically Abu Dhabi, has implemented a similar mandatory system called Nutri-Mark for certain food categories.

The proposal for an EU-wide mandatory Nutri-Score has faced political opposition and lobbying, primarily from countries and food industries whose products may receive unfavorable scores.

Some food companies in countries like Slovenia, Austria, and Ukraine have adopted the label voluntarily, even without official government recommendation. Romania is also in the process of implementing the system.

The system is managed by a transnational governance structure involving a steering committee and an independent scientific committee, composed of representatives and experts from the participating countries.

Yes. Once a company registers and agrees to use the Nutri-Score, they must apply it consistently to all products under their registered brand, preventing selective labeling ('cherry picking').

Research indicates that simple, color-coded labels like Nutri-Score are more effective than text-based or complex systems in helping consumers make quick comparisons and healthier choices in a shopping environment.