Modification of Nutri-Score’s nutrient profiling system algorithm

Question for written answer  E-000858/2021
to the Commission
Rule 138
Theodoros Zagorakis (PPE)

As part of its Farm to Fork strategy, established on 20 May 2020, the Commission proposed a number of actions to encourage consumers to make healthier food choices, including the introduction of mandatory front-of-pack labelling (FOPL) of nutritional information.

Of all the proposed nutrient profiling systems, France’s Nutri-Score system appears to be the most widely accepted. Although it initially appears to be very useful to the consumer, Nutri-Score’s nutritional value algorithm actually undervalues many of the staples in Greece, and hence the Mediterranean, including olive oil, table olives and dairy products to name but a few, as it only evaluates five parameters rather than the overall nutritional profile.

Although Nutri-Score has not yet been officially adopted, many international food distribution chains are already requiring their suppliers to use the Nutri-Score labelling system, effectively devaluing many Greek products whose labels do not correspond to their real nutritional value.

In view of the above:

• 1.Does the Commission intend to modify Nutri-Score’s value algorithm by increasing the number of parameters taken into consideration, such as the content of beneficial ingredients, vitamins, antioxidants and the energy footprint?
• 2.What is its position with regard to the classification of extra virgin olive oil in category C of the Nutri-Score system?
• 3.What is its position regarding the exclusion of all natural and/or mono-saturated foods from the FOPL obligation?