Food labeling in the European Union: a review of existing approaches

Abstract

PurposeThis review explores the phenomenon of front-of-pack nutrition labels (FoPNLs) in the European Union (EU). FoPNLs highlight the nutritional quality of food and non-alcoholic beverages and help consumers to make healthier choices. The review explores different types of FoPNLs and evaluates their effectiveness.Design/methodology/approachA policy analysis was conducted, relying on extant academic literature, grey literature and policy documents. The use of current FoPNLs is interpreted in light of national and economic interests.FindingsOur review identifies and describes seven government endorsed FoPNLs that are currently used in the EU. Five are positive endorsement labels (Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Lithuania, Slovenia and Sweden), which only provide a positive indication on more healthy products. The Keyhole is used in three EU countries (Denmark, Lithuania and Sweden), while the others are used in one country each. The Nutri-Score represents a summary label, which provides an overall grade of how healthy a product is. It is used in six countries (Belgium, France, Germany, Netherlands, Spain and Luxembourg). Finally, the Nutrinform battery is a nutrient-specific non-interpretive scheme, indicating the content of nutrients in a portion of a food product. All identified labels are only used on a voluntary basis, encouraging selective use.Originality/valueThis review contributes to a significant discussion about food labeling in the EU. It summarizes existing approaches and evaluates them in terms of their effectiveness. The current schemes in use reflect regional clustering. The most common scheme is the Nutri-Score. This is predominantly found in western EU states. Another major label is the Keyhole, with summary endorsement schemes being prevalent in northern EU states. The least common is Nutrinform, which has some support in southern EU states. The Nutri-score is most effective although economic interests are pushing for the Nutrinform battery in a small number of states. Finally, the review suggests that all existing FoPNLs are voluntary, these labels fail to provide consumers with adequate information about nutrition quality of food products. The EU needs to mobilize support to agree on a single one.

The effect of nutrition labels on lunch buffet consumption: a real-life experiment

“…Authorities are constantly exploring innovative approaches to steer consumers towards healthier choices (WHO, 2018). Researchers have continuously produced scientific information related to health and nutrition communication to meet the needs of authorities (Medina-Molina and Pérez-González, 2021; Peonides et al. , 2022; Hercberg et al.…”

A systematic assessment of the revised Nutri‐Score algorithm: Potentials for the implementation of front‐of‐package nutrition labeling across Europe

“…Our literature review captured 30 papers: 24 original research (Angelino et al, 2023;Braesco et al, 2022;Bryngelsson et al, 2022;Cutroneo et al, 2022;de las Heras-Delgado et al, 2023;Dickie et al, 2022;Ebner et al, 2022;Fedde et al, 2022;Ferreiro et al, 2021;Fialon et al, 2022;Hafner & Pravst, 2021, 2023Huybers & Roodenburg, 2023;Katsouri et al, 2021;Kissock et al, 2022;Konings et al, 2022;Panczyk et al, 2023;Pitt et al, 2023;Pointke & Pawelzik, 2022;Rodriguez-Martin et al, 2023;Septia Irawan et al, 2022;Stiletto & Trestini, 2022;Borg et al, 2021;Valenzuela et al, 2022), 3 communication/correspondence (Carruba et al, 2022;Drewnowski et al, 2021;Hau & Lange, 2023), and 3 review papers (Peonides et al, 2022;van der Bend et al, 2022;Włodarek & Dobrowolski, 2022), originating from 19 countries (including 12 EU member states). The list of reported limitations (n = 20), their connections, and the numbers of mentions are presented in Figure 2.…”

“…Additionally, this issue was raised in relation to ready meals, which are often eaten in portions much larger than 100 g and can therefore achieve a better NS grade (Fialon et al, 2022;Hau & Lange, 2023). Oils and cheeses are also often advocated in the light of traditional foods (Other Dimensions of Food Quality), for example, as part of a Mediterranean diet, which, based on the studies, could be possibly impacted by the NS algorithm (Fialon et al, 2022;Peonides et al, 2022). with % FVL and dietary fiber (Huybers & Roodenburg, 2023).…”

Establishing an EU‐wide front‐of‐pack nutrition label: Review of options and model‐based evaluation

“…Fourteen of the 27 EU countries have implemented FoPLs using various approaches, which span several typologies in the literature. 1,2 For instance, Julia and Hercberg have categorized FoPLs into five types. 3 The first includes logos that summarize nutritional information per nutrient, such as non-colored nutrient-specific labels (e.g., the Italian NutrInform Battery, Reference Intakes label, Nutri-Repere), the second displays a three-color code (red, amber, green) with the nutritional information per nutrientspecifically fat, saturates, sugar, and salt-referred to as a colored nutrient-specific label (e.g., the UK Multiple Traffic Lights, Nutri-Couleurs).…”

“…The logo most frequently used in EU countries is Nutri-Score, as it is found in six countries (Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Netherlands, and Spain), followed by Keyhole in three countries (Denmark, Sweden, and Lithuania), while other labels are implemented in single countries. 1 A harmonized mandatory EU-wide scheme should be proposed by the European Commission, as part of its Green Deal and Europe's Beating Cancer plan. There is currently an ongoing debate at the European level regarding the implementation of this harmonized scheme.…”