Danone has decided to definitively abandon the Nutriscore index and eliminate it from all its articles, after the change of algorithm in which its drinkable dairy products and vegetable alternatives were downgraded and went from a letter A or B to a D or E. Likewise, the company supports this decision based on the absence of a nutritional system. at European level.
As Danone explained to OKDIARIO: “We call for the adoption, at European level, of a harmonised interpretative nutritional information system that benefits all European consumers and we are open to continued dialogue and collaboration to achieve this.”
However, following this algorithm change, Danone has taken the decision to remove this labeling from all your products. “From September 2024, Danone will gradually eliminate the Nutriscore score for consumer dairy and plant-based products,” he said.
Disagreement over algorithm change
The main reason why Danone abandoned the Nutriscore is the change of its algorithm, since the system is updated every year. “Danone wishes to express its disagreement with the revision of the classification algorithm drinkable alternatives based on dairy and plant products in the beverage category. “This classification offers a misleading view of the nutritional and functional quality of drinkable dairy and plant products that conflicts with European food directives,” he says.
“This new way of classifying confuses consumers by presenting different Nutri-Score scores for products with similar nutritional objectives and which only differ in their format,” he explains.
Dissociates itself from the Nutriscore labeling
Danone has been a staunch defender of Nutriscore since its implementation in 2021. However, the company has recently changed its position.
“For years, we have been pioneers in voluntarily displaying the Nutriscore label on our product packaging in Europe, with the aim of sharing clear and transparent information with the consumer on the nutritional contribution of our portfolio, to help them make the most and most informed decisions regarding their health,” he defends.
However, Danone is committed to continuing to improve its products. “At Danone, we are committed to continuing to work to continue improving the nutritional contribution of our products, true to our commitment to improving people’s health. In Spain, 90% of Danone’s portfolio already corresponds to healthy products for daily consumption,” he says.
Other companies will follow Danone
In 2020, Danone and many other companies positioned themselves as strong advocates of Nutriscore, adopting the system in most of their products. In Danone’s case, it has gradually integrated the tool into all of its dairy productsof plant origin and waters, including children’s products.
According to industry sources: “Danone was the first and it is possible that it will generate a domino effect. The whole group To nestle I could follow suit, since they always manipulate information. It already happened with Nesquik, which contains 70% sugar, but they compare it to the prepared product. In other words, you take ten grams of Nesquik, dissolve it in 200 milliliters of milk and, of course, that will change your rating to positive.
It should also be taken into account that some companies have already positioned themselves against Nutriscore in 2020. “At the beginning, when it was launched, big brands like Coca-Cola, Mondelēz, Pepsi, etc. were opposed to it,” explain sources in the sector.
