Danone to adopt Nutri-Score labels for Belgian dairy products

Danone has announced that it will adopt the Nutri-Score nutritional labelling system for its Belgian fresh dairy products from October 2018.

The Nutri-Score system is a five-letter and five colour visual graphic which summarises the nutritional information of food and drink products, comparing ingredients such as fibre, protein, calories, saturated fatty acids, sugar and salt to determine a ‘grade’ for the product.

Danone will initially label all dairy products on the company’s Belgian website, before progressively adding the system to all of its fresh dairy products in stores from January 2019, with the goal of covering its entire fresh dairy range by the end of 2020.

The move follows the Belgian government’s decision to adopt the system as a voluntary nutritional labelling system in August, and companies such as retailer Delhaize have already adopted the system.

Wim Bauwens, country manager at Danone Belux said: “This intuitive and scientific labelling system is based on a five-colour code and letters and will allow consumers to achieve a better nutritional assessment and especially faster products that fit a healthy lifestyle.

“The system is already used in France and, although the Belgian government has said it will be introduced on a voluntary basis in our country, Danone has chosen to fully adhere to the Nutri-Score labelling system.

“I am convinced that the Nutri-Score system perfectly meets the expectations of Belgian consumers, who are even more attentive to their diet and their health.”