A Slight Adjustment of the Nutri-Score Nutrient Profiling System Could Help to Better Reflect the European Dietary Guidelines Regarding Nuts

Abstract

The consumption of nuts remains low among European populations despite widespread inclusion as a recommended food group across European dietary guidelines. Front-of-Pack nutrition labelling systems are designed to support consumers make healthier choices and to stimulate product improvement, thus representing a pivotal opportunity to reduce the gap between intakes and recommendations. This study examined how the Nutri-Score algorithm treats nuts and nut-containing products and tested whether slight adjustments could better recognise and motivate nut inclusion in foods and diets. The nutritional score (ScN) and corresponding Nutri-Score letter of 68 nuts and nut-containing products were calculated, using the initial algorithm and slight adjustments, where nut weight was doubled (S1), saturated fats (S2) or energy (S3) from nuts were discounted, or saturated fats were replaced by the saturated fats/lipid ratio (S4). The correlation between the nuts’ content and the ScN was moderate for the initial algorithm (R² = 0.34) and S1 (R² = 0.36), but improved for S2, S3 and S4 (R² = 0.54, 0.55 and 0.52, respectively). Four plain nuts, initially labelled as “B” or “C” obtained a Nutri-Score “A” with S2, S3 and S4. Slight adjustments could better align the Nutri-Score with food-based dietary guidelines, reassure consumers on healthfulness of nuts and nut-containing products, whilst incentivising the inclusion of nuts in diverse foods.

Uncovering the Effect of European Policy-Making Initiatives in Addressing Nutrition-Related Issues: A Systematic Literature Review and Bibliometric Analysis on Front-of-Pack Labels

“…This evidence equally contributes to those European Union principles which demand strong science to prove safety [173,174] and to the debate on FoPL. In addition, even after the coronavirus pandemic, an increasing need to regulate the food industry through the adoption of a univocal FoPL has been registered.…”

A systematic assessment of the revised Nutri‐Score algorithm: Potentials for the implementation of front‐of‐package nutrition labeling across Europe

“…Our literature review captured 30 papers: 24 original research (Angelino et al, 2023;Braesco et al, 2022;Bryngelsson et al, 2022;Cutroneo et al, 2022;de las Heras-Delgado et al, 2023;Dickie et al, 2022;Ebner et al, 2022;Fedde et al, 2022;Ferreiro et al, 2021;Fialon et al, 2022;Hafner & Pravst, 2021, 2023Huybers & Roodenburg, 2023;Katsouri et al, 2021;Kissock et al, 2022;Konings et al, 2022;Panczyk et al, 2023;Pitt et al, 2023;Pointke & Pawelzik, 2022;Rodriguez-Martin et al, 2023;Septia Irawan et al, 2022;Stiletto & Trestini, 2022;Borg et al, 2021;Valenzuela et al, 2022), 3 communication/correspondence (Carruba et al, 2022;Drewnowski et al, 2021;Hau & Lange, 2023), and 3 review papers (Peonides et al, 2022;van der Bend et al, 2022;Włodarek & Dobrowolski, 2022), originating from 19 countries (including 12 EU member states). The list of reported limitations (n = 20), their connections, and the numbers of mentions are presented in Figure 2.…”

Role of Karela in Diabetes: A Review

“…This plant has been documented to reduce fertility in both males and females and should therefore not be used by those undergoing fertility treatment or seeking pregnancy. The active chemicals in bitter melon have shown in animal studies to be transferred through breast milk; therefore, it is contraindicated in women who are breast feeding [50,51] . Liver: Fruit is useful in sub acute cases of liver and spleen.…”