Does the Nutri-Score 2023 algorithm provide consistent classification across European food supplies? A cross-sectional study using branded food composition data from 14 countries

article Does the Nutri-Score 2023 algorithm provide consistent classification across European food supplies? A cross-sectional study using branded food composition data from 14 countries published Chantal Julia author Théo Vasseur author Hélène Alexiou author Joline WJ Beulens author Anette Buyken author 65985 Torsten Bohn author Pauline Ducrot author Ann Katin Engelbert author Marie-Noelle Falquet author Esther Infanger author Benedikt Merz author Elisabeth H M Temme author Stefanie Vandevijere author 22 department Introduction: The Nutri-Score is a summary graded and colour-coded front of pack nutritional label providing an overall assessment of the nutritional value of prepacked products. While its 2023 update has been shown to be consistent with food-based dietary guidelines in the countries in which it has been adopted, its application has not been investigated in a wider geographical area. The objective of this study was to describe the classification of products according to the Nutri-Score in a large number of European Union (EU) countries. Methods: Branded food composition from 14 European countries was obtained from Euromonitor. Food products were classified according to the Nutri-Score algorithm, based on their content in energy (kJ/100 g), saturated fats (g/100 g), sugars (g/100 g), salt (g/100 g), proteins (g/100 g), dietary fibres (g/100 g) and fruit, vegetables and legumes (%/100 g). The distribution of the 2023 and 2015 Nutri-Score classifications was described across countries and food categories. Results: Overall, classification according to the 2023 Nutri-Score was consistent across 408 399 products from 14 countries and consistent with food-based dietary guidelines: >90% of frozen fruit and vegetables or >95% pulses were classified in the more favourable classes of the Nutri-Score (A/B), while >90% of discretionary foods such as chocolate confectionery and sweet biscuits were classified in the less favourable classes (D/E). Cross-country differences in classification reflected underlying variability in nutrient composition of products (eg, salt content in refined breads ranged from 1.05 to 1.23 g/100 g across countries). Conclusion: The Nutri-Score classification appeared consistent across a large geographical area, confirming its potential as an EU-wide front-of-package label. While some residual challenges remain for a limited number of specific product groups (eg, whole-grain pasta or rice), our findings indicate that the 2023 update represents a substantial improvement over the 2015 algorithm. 2026 eng BMJ Public Health10.1136/ bmjph-2026-005015 43 Julia C, Vasseur T, Alexiou H, et al. Does the Nutri-Score 2023 algorithm provide consistent classification across European food supplies? A cross-sectional study using branded food composition data from 14 countries. BMJ Public Health. 2026;4(3). doi:<a href="https://doi.org/10.1136/ bmjph-2026-005015">10.1136/ bmjph-2026-005015</a> @article{Julia_Vasseur_Alexiou_Beulens_Buyken_Bohn_Ducrot_Engelbert_Falquet_Infanger_et al._2026, title={Does the Nutri-Score 2023 algorithm provide consistent classification across European food supplies? A cross-sectional study using branded food composition data from 14 countries}, volume={4}, DOI={<a href="https://doi.org/10.1136/ bmjph-2026-005015">10.1136/ bmjph-2026-005015</a>}, number={3}, journal={BMJ Public Health}, author={Julia, Chantal and Vasseur, Théo and Alexiou, Hélène and Beulens, Joline WJ and Buyken, Anette and Bohn, Torsten and Ducrot, Pauline and Engelbert, Ann Katin and Falquet, Marie-Noelle and Infanger, Esther and et al.}, year={2026} } Julia, Chantal, et al. “Does the Nutri-Score 2023 Algorithm Provide Consistent Classification across European Food Supplies? A Cross-Sectional Study Using Branded Food Composition Data from 14 Countries.” BMJ Public Health, vol. 4, no. 3, 2026, doi:<a href="https://doi.org/10.1136/ bmjph-2026-005015">10.1136/ bmjph-2026-005015</a>. C. Julia, T. Vasseur, H. Alexiou, J.W. Beulens, A. Buyken, T. Bohn, P. Ducrot, A.K. Engelbert, M.-N. Falquet, E. Infanger, B. Merz, E.H.M. Temme, S. Vandevijere, BMJ Public Health 4 (2026). Julia, Chantal, Théo Vasseur, Hélène Alexiou, Joline WJ Beulens, Anette Buyken, Torsten Bohn, Pauline Ducrot, et al. “Does the Nutri-Score 2023 Algorithm Provide Consistent Classification across European Food Supplies? A Cross-Sectional Study Using Branded Food Composition Data from 14 Countries.” BMJ Public Health 4, no. 3 (2026). <a href="https://doi.org/10.1136/ bmjph-2026-005015">https://doi.org/10.1136/ bmjph-2026-005015</a>. Julia, C., Vasseur, T., Alexiou, H., Beulens, J. W., Buyken, A., Bohn, T., Ducrot, P., Engelbert, A. K., Falquet, M.-N., Infanger, E., Merz, B., Temme, E. H. M., & Vandevijere, S. (2026). Does the Nutri-Score 2023 algorithm provide consistent classification across European food supplies? A cross-sectional study using branded food composition data from 14 countries. BMJ Public Health, 4(3). <a href="https://doi.org/10.1136/ bmjph-2026-005015">https://doi.org/10.1136/ bmjph-2026-005015</a> C. Julia et al., “Does the Nutri-Score 2023 algorithm provide consistent classification across European food supplies? A cross-sectional study using branded food composition data from 14 countries,” BMJ Public Health, vol. 4, no. 3, 2026, doi: <a href="https://doi.org/10.1136/ bmjph-2026-005015">10.1136/ bmjph-2026-005015</a>. 675382026-10-15T10:08:58Z2026-10-15T10:09:18Z