Parliament demands federal intervention in “Nutri-Score”

For the Federal Council, the Federal Council should define the use of the nutritional information label “Nutri-Score” in more detail in the Food Act. After the Council of States, the National Council also referred a corresponding initiative to the state government.

With 102 votes against 85, the Council approved a motion from the Commission for Science, Education and Culture of the Council of States (WBK-S) on Thursday. It goes to the Federal Council for implementation.

The Nutri-Score informs consumers about the nutritional quality of a product on a scale from A green (= balanced) to E red (= unbalanced). According to the Federal Council, it is based on an algorithm.

Federal Councilor Elisabeth Baume-Schneider and the spokesperson for the majority of the provisional advisory committee in the National Council argued in vain that the federal government would not be able to implement the required regulations. The “Nutri-Score” brand is owned by the French health agency Santé Publique France.

If Switzerland were to impose different rules, the Nutri-Score could no longer be used in Switzerland, the state government states in its written response to the motion. The use of Nutri-Score is the responsibility of the companies, but must be carried out in accordance with the terms and conditions of Santé Publique France.

However, the motion’s supporters argued that the Nutri-Score would disadvantage certain food producers. A balanced diet is crucial for health and not an isolated view of a single product.

That is why the Swiss food pyramid is still the most important tool for consumer information, and not just a comparison label. The instrument is too simplified. Little or no account is taken of the degree of processing, additives, sustainability, production method and origin.

Motion supporter Alois Huber (SVP/AG) said in the council that it is simply not logical for Coca Cola Zero to be classified light green, i.e. with the letter B. Apple juice from standard trees, on the other hand, is rated with the letter C because of the fructose it contains and therefore a level lower.

With the motion, Parliament could at least prevent the “Nutri-Score” from becoming mandatory in Switzerland, Huber said after a lively debate. The small chamber clearly approved the proposal in June 2023. (sda/lyn)