Germany Announces Introduction of Controversial Food Labeling System

By Lisa Anderson

Oct. 7, 2019 10:40 UTC

Summary

Germany’s Minister of Food, Agriculture, and Consumer Protection Julia Klöckner announced plans to adopt the Nutri-Score food labeling system, which rates foods from “A” to “E” based on healthiness, despite previous opposition. The decision to use Nutri-Score comes after the German government initially planned to develop its own labeling system, but now they have chosen to go with the system approved by the European Commission and the World Health Organization.

Minister of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection Julia Klöckner last week announced plans to introduce the contentious Nutri-Score food labeling system to Germany.

This color-coded food labeling system, which rates foods from “A” for healthier choices to “E” for unhealthier choices, has been criticized because — among other reasons — it gives healthy oils, such as olive oil, a lower rating due to their high-fat content.

The German government was initially planning to design their own unique food labeling system, but they have now decided to opt for the system approved by the European Commission (EC) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

Klöckner, who had been opposed to Nutri-score and spoken out against it on numerous occasions, made the announcement in Berlin on October 3. Earlier this year, food giant Iglo was ordered by German authorities to remove Nutri-score ratings from their products.

The Nutri-Score system, which was designed to control obesity, is used in France, Spain, Belgium and Portugal.