The Netherlands, Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Spain and Switzerland are collaborating to facilitate the nutritional label NutriScore. This collaboration takes place within a Steering and Scientific committee. On behalf of the Netherlands, RIVM participates in both the Steering and Scientific committee.
What is Nutri-Score?
Nutri-Score is a nutritional label based on a five-colour-coded scale that was developed by Sante Publique France, the French National Public Health Institute . The label provides consumers with information on the general nutritional value of food products. Nutri-Score is intended to help and assist consumers in making healthier food choices, in addition to the dietary guidelines of the Health Council of the Netherlands. A food choice label can also be an incentive for producers to improve their products. Previously, State Secretary for Health, Welfare and Sport Paul Blokhuis announced that Nutri-Score would become the new food choice label for the Netherlands.
Steering committee and Scientific committee
The Steering committee coordinates the implementation of the Nutri-Score label on food packaging. Various representatives from the seven participating countries are members of the Steering committee. The Scientific committee investigates whether and how to bring the label more into line with the dietary guidelines. The Steering committee and Scientific Committee held a kick-off meeting on 12 February.