Answer given by Mr Andriukaitis on behalf of the European Commission
28.10.2019
The Commission acknowledges that front-of-pack nutrition labelling can facilitate the understanding of the nutritional value of products consumed. The Nutri-Score nutrition labelling scheme is considered in its entirety as voluntary information under Article 36 of Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011[1]. Food information provided under a voluntary basis shall not mislead the consumer, not be ambiguous or confusing for the consumer and shall, where appropriate, be based on the relevant scientific data.
At the same time, when the Nutri-Score logo attributes a positive message (i.e. green colour — light green or dark green), it also fulfils the legal definition of a ‘nutrition claim’ as it provides information on the beneficial nutritional quality of a food as defined in Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006[2] (Claims Regulation).
According to Article 6(1) of the Claims Regulation, claims should be based on and substantiated by generally accepted scientific evidence.
The Commission assessed the compliance of Nutri-Score with the relevant legal requirements in the context of the notifications of the national measures by France and Belgium. Upon the notifications, the Commission did not object in terms of delivering a detailed opinion. In its observations to the notifications, the Commission enquired on the provisions on the monitoring of the use of the Nutri-Score logo.
- [1] Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2011 on the provision of food information to consumers, OJ L 304, 22.11.2011, p. 18.
- [2] Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 December 2006 on nutrition and health claims made on foods, OJ L 404, 30.12.2006, p. 9.