After the 2024 Paris Olympics and Paralympics, the Danone group throws its medals into the Seine to backtrack on the Nutriscore.
Instead of improving the nutritional profiles of its beverage products, the dairy giant decides to hide their scores. And it's disqualified.
1) Danone, backtracking on Nutri-score labelling
Danone announced last week, in a letter sent to the health authorities, that it wants to eliminate the Nutri-score nutritional information from the labels of a series of drinks. (1) The backtracking concerns milk and vegetable-based 'drinking products', starting with those marketed under the five brands:
– Actimel
– Danonino
–Alpro
– Danone
– Activia.
A misstep which is presumed to be motivated by the upcoming 'downgrading' of some top products – from class B (light green) to class D (light orange) – following the application of the new Nutriscore algorithm. Drinkable yoghurts have in fact been transferred from the dairy products category to that of sugary drinks. (2)
2) NutriScore, the algorithm update
The algorithm as a basis for the evaluation of the nutritional quality of foods, as we have seen, it was developed by the scientific committee of NutriScore and shared by its executive committee, in which researchers and experts from the member states where this system is already applied participate. And it has served, among other things, to recognize the virtues of extra virgin olive oil compared to other vegetable oils. (3)
The algorithm update has already been adopted by 4 countries – Germany, Belgium, Switzerland and the Netherlands – but not yet in France, where the publication of the decree ratifying the new calculation criteria is still awaited. The publication had in fact been scheduled for June but has been postponed indefinitely, following the dissolution of the National Assembly.
3) Bjorg and Krisprolls, the first to backtrack
The industries Ecotone (F) and Pagen (SW), owners of the brands Bjorg and Krisprolls, were actually the first to decide to remove the NutriScore from the labels of their products following the algorithm update. In a miserable attempt to hide its effects:
- kisses. Half of the biscuits receive an E rating (vermillion orange colour) and a third of the vegetable drinks move from classes A and B to classes D and E.
- Krisprolls. Some references of Swedish rusks have also been downgraded to the letter D (pale orange colour). (4)
4) Serge Hercberg, the first comments
Professor Serge Hercberg – epidemiologist and nutritionist, as well as creator of the Nutri-score – responds to the news of Danone’s backtracking with the moral rigor that has always characterized him. Below are some excerpts from his interview today on France Info tv:
- 'It is not up to the producers to set the rules of the game. It is deplorable that the Danone group avoids transparency on the nutritional quality of its products, and above all that it decides to play the game when it suits it and to refuse when it believes it is no longer convenient.'
- 'This attitude is particularly shocking from Danone, which has a very strong social commitment to nutrition and health. We expect a company like this to adopt a responsible attitude, less marketing and more consumer protection'. (5)
4.1) The evolution of the algorithm
'The Nutri-score is based on scientific women, without conflict of interests' (Serge Hercberg)
The evolution of the Nutriscore system's calculation method, explains Professor Serge Hercberg, is entirely consistent with its objectives:
- 'Science evolves, the food market too, and we have shared the progress in scientific knowledge'
- 'The Nutri-score takes into account what is reported on the label but is often incomprehensible to consumers, such as the content of fat, sugar, salt, protein, fibre, etc.. '
- own 'Thanks to a scientifically validated algorithm, the Nutriscore evaluation was obtained, which is updated regularly'. (5)
4.2) Danone's Hypocrisy
The transition of category of drinking yogurts, from dairy products to beverages, is also explained by their occasions and methods of consumption. Professor Serge Hercberg continues:
- 'Solid yogurt is given to children at the end of the meal or as an afternoon snack'. While 'drinkable' yogurt is consumed like other beverages
– some drinkable yogurts, without sugar or artificial sweeteners, or at least low in sugar, can receive a favorable Nutriscore rating. And it is equally logical that those 'produced with a lot of sugar' receive a lower classification
- 'it's hypocritical of Danone' criticize the scientific approach to drinking yogurt, and instead support it on its low-sugar mineral water drinks, which are well classified.
5) Danone, the disqualification of consumers
Foodwatch thunders against 'A step backwards that will not go down well! (…) The fear of a lower grade – such as a light orange 'D' or a vermilion 'E' – must not be a reason to give up providing clear and accessible information to help consumers make better choices for their health. (…) While waiting for this nutritional logo to be made mandatory on all products in Europe, it is time for all manufacturers to display it without exceptions on their packaging: let's demand it with Foodwatch!(6)
UFC-Que Choisir in turn denounces the 'pseudo-nutritional' rhetoric of Danone, which has since depublished the relevant page from its website, perhaps in an attempt to repair the damage.For UFC-Que Choisir, this is further proof that the voluntary indication of the Nutri-Score does not guarantee correct information for consumers. Consequently, the association calls on public authorities to make it mandatory.. (1)
6) Nutriscore without secrets on the QuelProduit and Yuka apps
Big Food and its ally Coldiretti resistance to the application of the Nutri-score as a harmonised European Front-of-Pack Nutrition Labelling (FOPNL) system (7) – and the clumsy attempts to hide nutritional quality from labels – are not enough to discourage consumers from seeking useful information to help them choose balanced foods and drinks.
Millions of consumers are already used to instantly searching and finding precise information on the nutritional evaluation of products with the Nutri-Score system, thanks to the two apps
- QuelProduit, published by UFC-Que Choisir (8)
- Yuka, the champion of downloads in several countries, European and non-European. (9)
Just scan the barcode (or QR code) with your cell phone, and the nutritional profile is revealed. Along with a warning about the possible presence of food additives that are problematic for your health.
Dario Dongo
Footnotes
(1) Danone decides to retire the Nutri-Score. UFC-Que Choisir. 5.9.24 https://www.quechoisir.org/actualite-etiquetage-nutritionnel-danone-decide-de-retirer-le-nutri-score-n130882/
(2) Dario Dongo. Nutriscore Algorithm Update for Beverages. GIFT (Great Italian Food Trade).
(3) Dario Dongo. NutriScore, evolution of the algorithm on a scientific basis. GIFT (Great Italian Food Trade).
(4) Bjorg l'efface discrètement… UFC-Que Choisir. 7.11.23 https://tinyurl.com/5c3frhz2
(5) Danone retires the Nutri-score of its manufacturers: “This is what the manufacturers of the Nutri-score say,” says the creator of the Nutri-score. France tv info. 5.9.24 https://tinyurl.com/s2k44jua
(6) Nutri-Score : the agroalimentaire ne doit pas faire marche arrière ! Foodwatch. 5.9.24
(7) Ewert B. Checkmating the Nutri-Score: Will Food Patriotism Prevent the Harmonization of Front-of-Pack Labeling Schemes within the EU? J Health Polit Policy Law. 2024 Oct 1;49(5):885-891. doi: 10.1215/03616878-11259443. PMID: 38567758.
(8) A free application to choose your food, cosmetics and managers products. UFC-Que Choisir. 24.11.22 https://tinyurl.com/y77m4ha6
(9) Marta Strinati, Dario Dongo. Yuka, if you know it, you spread it. The app conquers 2 million Italians in just one year. GIFT (Great Italian Food Trade).
Dario Dongo, lawyer and journalist, PhD in international food law, founder of WIISE (FARE - GIFT - Food Times) and Égalité.
