Foodwatch demands mandatory Nutri-Score - Germany's Nutri-Score debate heats up as voluntary labels fall short

Five years after its launch in France, the Nutri-Score food labelling system remains optional in Germany. While many manufacturers have adopted it, consumer groups argue its impact is limited without mandatory rules. A recent push by Foodwatch now calls for stricter national measures to widen its use.

The Nutri-Score system rates food products from 'A' (healthiest) to 'E' (least healthy). It assesses sugar, fat, salt, protein, fibre, and fruit or vegetable content to give a clear, colour-coded guide. Since 2020, 960 companies representing 1,420 brands in Germany have chosen to display the label voluntarily.

A survey by Foodwatch revealed mixed consumer engagement. While 78% of shoppers often see Nutri-Score in stores, only 31% actively use it to make purchasing decisions. Luise Molling, an expert at Foodwatch, argues that voluntary adoption weakens the system's potential to guide healthier choices. With EU-wide regulation stalled, Foodwatch has urged Germany's Food and Agriculture Minister to enforce Nutri-Score nationally. The group insists mandatory labelling would ensure fairer competition and better public health outcomes.

The debate over Nutri-Score's future in Germany continues as voluntary uptake grows but falls short of full market coverage. If adopted as law, the system could become a standard tool for shoppers. For now, its influence depends on manufacturers' willingness to participate.