Abstract
Background
Food marketing influences the food choices of children, and measures to regulate food marketing is key. WHO Europe has developed a nutrient profile model for the purpose of restricting the marketing of unhealthy foods to children, classifying food into 22 categories with category-specific nutritional thresholds (the WHO-EURO). The Nutri-Score is a food label to help consumers make healthier food choices by classifying foods from A-E. The aim of this study was to evaluate if the Nutri-Score can effectively define products for the purpose of marketing restrictions towards children.
Methods
The study included data from the Norwegian food composition table (N = 1,944). Foods were categorized according to the WHO-EURO profile (permitted or not permitted to be marketed). Products with Nutri-Score A or B were considered eligible for marketing. Cross classification was used to assess agreement (%) between products classified as either permitted or not permitted by the Nutri-Score and the WHO-EURO.
Results
There was 84% agreement between WHO-EURO and Nutri-Score. Products not eligible for marketing according to WHO-EURO but permitted according to the Nutri-Score (5%) were for example some canned fruit, plain yoghurts, fatty fish, plant-based meat analogues, and salted nuts. Products permitted to be marketed according to the WHO-EURO, but not permitted according to the Nutri-Score (11%) were for example honey, some dried fruits and nuts mixes, breakfast cereals, ready meals, and refined grains.
Conclusions
Our study indicates that Nutri-Score can be used as a tool not only for front-of-pack labelling but also for defining foods for marketing restrictions towards children. Additional criteria to Nutri-Score A and B, such as presence of non-sugar sweeteners or added sugar, can also be applied to better align with the WHO-EURO. Using a common nutrient profile for multiple purposes may be beneficial to increase simplicity and to secure coherence in food policies.
Key messages
• Nutri-Score A and B aligns well with WHO-EURO for regulating food marketing to children.
• Using a common nutrient profile for multiple purposes may be beneficial to secure coherence in food policies.