No less than 320 scientists and health professionals from 27 European countries published a report on Thursday, asking the European Commission to make the Nutri-Score mandatory in all European countries. These professionals are gathered in the "Group of EU Scientists and Health Professionals supporting Nutri-Score", reports France Info.
All work in nutrition, obesity, public health, preventive medicine, endocrinology, oncology, cardiology, paediatrics, psychology, European law and social marketing. These professionals recall that the European Commission has committed, in 2021, to propose a mandatory nutrition information logo by 2023. The latter should be affixed to the front of food packaging.
Proven effectiveness
But nothing has been done. "Since this announcement, powerful lobbies have mobilized strongly to prevent the Nutri-Score from being chosen as the only and mandatory logo for Europe," explain the scientists. These pressures are exerted by large companies "such as Ferrero, Lactalis, Coca-Cola, Mars, Mondelez, Kraft" who would use "absurd and dishonest arguments and many fake news", according to the scientists. The latter regret that the pressure exerted makes the European Commission hesitate.
Because it is public health that is at stake. The group recalls that "numerous scientific studies carried out in recent years in twenty countries demonstrate the effectiveness of the Nutri-Score in helping consumers to direct their choice towards foods of better nutritional quality and therefore more favorable to their health". Already formally adopted in seven European countries, including France, it has already proven its worth and received consumer support. With this report, scientists and professionals remind the European Commission of the decision taken in 2021 and ask members not to "give in to pressure from lobbies that only defend economic interests".
- Health
- Feeding
- Dietary
- Consumption
- Malnutrition
- European Union (EU)
- European Commission
- Europe