A recent study conducted by the University of Massachusetts Amherst sheds light on the positive impact of France’s Nutri-Score labeling system on the nutritional quality of packaged foods. Led by Christoph Bauner, assistant professor of resource economics, and doctoral candidate Rajib Rahman, the research delves into the efficacy of this front-of-package labeling initiative, revealing notable improvements in product healthfulness following its implementation in 2017.
The Nutri-Score system, adopted by France and now utilized in ten European countries, employs a straightforward letter grading scale ranging from A (healthiest) to E (unhealthiest) to evaluate the nutritional value of foods. Bauner and Rahman’s analysis, drawing from comprehensive product and nutrition data spanning from 2014 to 2021, demonstrates a significant enhancement in the health profile of packaged foods in France compared to similar items in Italy and the United Kingdom, which lack such labeling measures.
The study, believed to be the first of its kind, unveils a phenomenon termed “bunching,” wherein certain manufacturers adjust their product formulations to narrowly attain a more favorable letter grade under the Nutri-Score system. Bauner emphasizes the importance of labeling system design, citing its pivotal role in influencing consumer choices and encouraging healthier dietary habits.
Focusing on three distinct categories—breakfast cereals, popcorn, and potato snacks—the analysis encompassed nearly 6,000 products known for their prevalence and extensive history in the French market. These categories were selected due to their highly processed nature, offering ample opportunity for nutritional enhancement.
Nutri-Score ratings, derived from a composite numerical value assessing both beneficial (e.g., protein, fiber) and detrimental (e.g., sugar, sodium) nutrients alongside fruit and vegetable content, are intended to facilitate informed choices within food categories. Over 500 food producers, representing more than half of products sold in France, have voluntarily embraced the grading system, underscoring its industry-wide adoption.
While prior research has predominantly focused on consumer responses to front-of-package labeling, Bauner underscores the significance of examining its impact from the supply side. The study underscores the potential of such initiatives in curbing diet-related health issues like obesity, heart disease, and diabetes, by prompting manufacturers to reformulate their offerings in alignment with nutritional guidelines.
Despite the absence of federal mandates for front-of-package labeling in the United States, certain manufacturers opt to provide select nutritional information in this space. Legislative proposals advocating for FDA intervention in developing a standardized labeling system for foods and beverages further highlight the growing discourse on public health initiatives.
Bauner concludes that while any commonsense labeling framework holds promise in steering consumer behavior toward healthier choices, its effectiveness hinges on specific design elements. Acknowledging producers’ strategic responses, he advocates for leveraging such dynamics to drive positive dietary shifts, thus fostering a healthier populace.
The findings of the study, titled “The effect of front-of-package nutrition labeling on product composition,” are published online in the European Review of Agricultural Economics, contributing valuable insights to ongoing discussions surrounding nutrition labeling policies.