Online Event: How can we unlock the full potential of the food labelling system?

Wednesday 11 May 2022, 11:30 – 12:10 CEST

Online event co-hosted by MEP Maria Spyraki

Co-Chair of the European Parliament Intergroup on ‘Climate Change, Biodiversity & Sustainable Development’

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While the issue of ‘front-of-pack nutrition labelling’ (FOP labelling) has been high on the agenda of European food labelling for many years, it remains an issue of certain controversy. FOP nutrition labelling is simplified nutrition information provided on the front of food packaging, while Nutri-Score is a specific nutrition label that converts the nutritional value of products into a simple code consisting of 5 letters (marked from A to E), each with its own colour. Each product is then awarded a score based on an algorithm.

At the same time, the Nutri-Score system fails to include the Mediterranean diet (inscribed under UNESCO on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity) and Nordic diet (under WHO), and is therefore under serious concern. While the Nutri-Score algorithm should ensure the inclusion of data from those two diets, a pan-European approach is necessary in order to provide information to consumers and assist in their food choices. As a result, this event hosted under the umbrella of the European Parliament Intergroup on ‘Climate Change, Biodiversity and Sustainable Development’ aims at welcoming an overall re-evaluation of Nutri-Score and its criteria put in place, moreover addressing ways to empower consumers in proceeding with well-informed food choices.