Bern, 6th March 2025

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The new European Commission has shelved the plan for harmonizing Front-of-Pack food labeling (FoPL). This means that European countries will not be forced by bureaucrats to adopt systems such as Nutriscore or traffic light labels – tools designed to steer, if not impose, consumers’ dietary choices. After years of advocacy, Competere’s voice in favor of consumer choice, knowledge, awareness, competition, and the promotion of local diets has finally been heard.

Interpretative labels do not solve the problem of obesity and non-communicable diseases (NCDs). These are outdated tools, surpassed by advances in precision nutrition and the adoption of the Mediterranean diet, which is widely recognized for its health benefits. However, Nutriscore remains widely used on many products and in various retail outlets, influencing consumer choices based on questionable criteria.

Nutritional labeling is a useful tool for informing consumers about the content of food products, such as calories, fats, sugars, and salt. However, interpretative systems often overlook essential factors such as cultural preferences, socioeconomic status, and individual lifestyle. Busy parents or professionals may prioritize convenience over nutritional value, while those pursuing specific health goals might focus on particular nutrients. Stigmatizing food choices through simplified labeling fails to acknowledge the complexity of dietary habits.

Nutrinform Battery offers a more effective solution. This system provides clear and detailed information, visually representing key nutrients using a battery-like symbol similar to that found on mobile phones. Each section indicates the percentage of the recommended daily intake, enabling consumers to better understand their nutritional needs. Its logic is not based on bans or arbitrary classifications but on increasing awareness of balanced nutrition.

Prof. Michele Carruba and Prof. Pietro Paganini, joined by Prof. Lorenzo Maria Donini, Prof. Daniela Martini, Ph.D. Roberta Re, discussed these issues at the conference Positive Nutrition, Consumer Information: The Italian Model, organized by the Italian Embassy in Bern and the Italian Trade Agency.

Consumer information must be based on transparency and knowledge, not on imposed measures that penalize the diversity of local diets and restrict consumer choice.

Competere will continue to promote policies that enhance knowledge and uphold consumers’ right to make informed dietary decisions, supporting innovative models such as personalized nutrition and the Mediterranean diet.

Read The U.S. Food Labeling Debate: Informed Choices or Oversimplified Nutrition?>>>