What Is Nutri-Score?
Nutri-Score is a front-of-package nutrition label that rates foods on a five-point color-coded scale from A (dark green, healthiest) to E (dark red, least healthy). Developed by French researchers and adopted across France, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain, and Switzerland, Nutri-Score provides an at-a-glance assessment of a product's overall nutritional quality. It is calculated algorithmically based on the balance of positive nutrients (fiber, protein, fruits/vegetables/legumes) against negative nutrients (energy, sugars, saturated fat, sodium) per 100g of product.
How the Score Is Calculated
| Points Against (0-40) | Points For (0-15) |
|---|---|
| Energy (kJ per 100g) | Fiber content |
| Total sugars | Protein content |
| Saturated fat | Fruit, vegetable, legume, nut content |
| Sodium |
The final score is: negative points minus positive points. Lower scores receive better grades: A = -15 to -1, B = 0 to 2, C = 3 to 10, D = 11 to 18, E = 19 to 40. The system is designed to make comparison within product categories intuitive — is this yogurt healthier than that yogurt?
Strengths of Nutri-Score
Research shows that Nutri-Score effectively helps consumers make healthier choices. A 2020 meta-analysis of 12 studies found that Nutri-Score outperformed all other front-of-package labels in helping consumers identify healthier options. Its simplicity is its greatest asset — a single letter and color is far easier to process than deciphering a full nutrition facts panel while shopping. Studies also show Nutri-Score has pushed manufacturers to reformulate products for better scores, creating a competitive incentive to reduce sugar, salt, and saturated fat.
Limitations and Criticisms
- Per-100g basis is misleading for some products — Olive oil receives a C or D rating because it is 100% fat, despite being a healthy dietary choice in appropriate portions
- Does not account for additives — A product could score A while containing controversial additives
- Aggregation problem — Combining nutrients into a single score obscures important distinctions (a product can score B with high sugar compensated by high fiber)
- Not designed for product-to-product comparison across categories — Comparing an A-rated cereal to a C-rated cheese is meaningless; the system works best within categories
- No distinction between natural and added sugars — Fruit juice and soda may receive similar negative points for sugar despite very different nutritional contexts
Nutri-Score and the US Market
While Nutri-Score is not mandated in the US, several developments suggest it may influence American food labeling. The FDA has explored front-of-package labeling initiatives, and multinational food companies already calculate Nutri-Scores for their European products using the same formulations sold in the US. Some US-based health apps and databases now include Nutri-Score alongside traditional nutrition facts. Whether the US adopts Nutri-Score specifically or develops its own system, the trend toward simplified front-of-package nutrition communication is accelerating. In the meantime, use our ingredient comparison tool for a more granular analysis than any single rating can provide.