Nutri-Score traffic lights get tighter: sugary muesli will soon get worse marks

Nutri-Score also rates salt more strictly

The reason for sugary muesli’s A grade: Until now, manufacturers could score points on Nutri-Score by adding fiber- and protein-rich ingredients alongside unhealthy sugar. These “good” ingredients outweigh those that are partially or even completely unhealthy.

But this is now changing: the international steering committee, which includes Switzerland, has agreed on a new calculation system for the Nutri-Score scale.

Foods containing sugar and salt, sweetened products, red meat, milk and plant-based drinks will now be evaluated more strictly. While the salt and sugar calculation formula used to have a maximum of 10 minus points, it has now increased to 20. It’s also the first time sweeteners have received minus points; In addition to milk, dairy and plant-based beverages now fall into the beverage category. As a result, whole milk now receives a C grade instead of B. When it comes to beverages, only unsweetened, unflavored water can achieve a Nutri-Score A.

Nutri-Score is a voluntary international food label that uses a five-point letter scale to provide consumers with guidance on how balanced a product is. Using a calculation formula, the positive and negative components are balanced against each other.

A Green A product contains many “good” ingredients such as fruits, fibre, proteins, nuts or rapeseed or olive oil. A red E rating indicates that the food contains many negative substances such as saturated fatty acids, too much salt and sugar, or has a high total energy count.

Nutri-Score: grace period until end of 2025

If Nestlé doesn’t change its sugar-rich Nesquik recipe, the company may have to correct the claim soon. Manufacturers must adapt packaging accordingly by the end of 2025. It is not yet clear whether the product will actually be relegated in the ratings.

When asked, Nestlé said: “It is too early to say how the ‘Nesquik crispy breakfast’ will score.” But if you add the product’s nutritional values ​​to the Excel table provided by Santé Publique France, the leading organization in this regard, you will get a deep red E for Nesquik muesli.