Nutri-Score of Meat, Fish, and Dairy Alternatives: A Comparison between the Old and New Algorithm

Area of Science:

• Food Science
• Nutritional Science
• Public Health Nutrition

Background:

• Nutri-Score is a front-of-pack nutrition labeling system aiming to guide consumers toward healthier food choices.
• Previous versions of the Nutri-Score algorithm have faced criticism for potential misrepresentation of nutritional quality compared to established dietary recommendations.
• Adaptations to the Nutri-Score algorithm have been implemented to address these concerns and improve its alignment with public health nutrition goals.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of the revised Nutri-Score algorithm on the classification of plant-based meat, fish, and dairy alternatives.
• To compare the nutritional profiles of products classified with high Nutri-Score ratings (A and B) under both old and new algorithms.
• To assess the alignment of the updated Nutri-Score classifications with current Dutch dietary guidelines for plant-based alternatives.

Main Methods:

• Calculation of Nutri-Score for 916 plant-based meat, fish, and dairy alternatives using both the original and updated algorithms.
• Comparative analysis of nutritional content (energy, saturated fatty acids, protein, salt, sugar, fiber) for products with top Nutri-Score ratings (A and B) under both algorithm versions.
• Assessment of the updated Nutri-Score's concordance with Dutch dietary guidelines for plant-based food alternatives.

Main Results:

• The new Nutri-Score algorithm led to a decrease in the proportion of plant-based products receiving top ratings (A and B), with reductions ranging from 5% for cold cut alternatives to 55% for milk alternatives.
• Plant-based meat alternatives with top ratings showed improved nutritional profiles, including lower energy and saturated fatty acid content, and higher protein content.
• Plant-based milk alternatives with top ratings exhibited enhanced nutritional quality, characterized by reduced energy, salt, and sugar, alongside increased protein and fiber content.

Conclusions:

• The revised Nutri-Score algorithm demonstrates improved alignment with Dutch dietary guidelines for plant-based meat and dairy alternatives.
• While the updated algorithm enhances the nutritional assessment of these products, challenges persist regarding the accurate reflection of micronutrient (iron, calcium, vitamin B12), salt, and protein content.
• Further refinement may be necessary to fully capture the complex nutritional contributions of plant-based alternatives within the Nutri-Score framework.