To track changes in awareness, perception, and use of the Nutri-Score logo over time, Santé publique France—the agency responsible for rolling out Nutri-Score in France—has been conducting a series of surveys among the French population since April 2018. The latest survey was conducted in September 2020, and its results are being released today.

Nutri-Score: A Nutritional Guide to Help Consumers

Since October 31, 2017, Nutri-Score has been the simplified nutritional labeling system recommended by the government. This logo, featuring five colors associated with letters, informs consumers about the overall nutritional quality of products: from A, in dark green, for products of the highest nutritional quality, to E, in dark orange, for products of the lowest nutritional quality. Placed on the front of packaging, it is easily visible and understandable, allowing consumers to compare the nutritional quality of different products while grocery shopping

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Rapidly growing awareness: 94% of French people support the inclusion of Nutri-Score on packaging

According to the latest survey results, awareness of the logo continues to grow, with 93% of French people reporting that they have seen or heard of Nutri-Score (81% in May 2019). This finding is reinforced by the fact that 18% of French people spontaneously stated that they rely on Nutri-Score to assess the nutritional quality of the products they buy, whereas only 1% did so in April 2018.
Furthermore, Nutri-Score enjoys public support, with 94% of French people saying they are in favor of the logo appearing on packaging. A nearly similar proportion (89%) even believes it should be made mandatory on all products, although its use is currently voluntary. This support reflects consumers’ desire to have this information available for all products, including those with lower scores.

3 out of 4 French people say they buy a product labeled with Nutri-Score

Nutri-Score is gradually finding its way into shopping carts and is associated with the adoption of new purchasing behaviors.

The results of the survey conducted in September 2020 show that nearly 3 in 4 French people, among those who know about or have heard of Nutri-Score, say they have purchased a product displaying a Nutri-Score. This proportion, which has been rising since the start of the survey, reflects greater visibility of the logo as well as increased consumer attention to it. At the same time, 57% reported having already adjusted at least one of their purchasing behaviors thanks to Nutri-Score, compared to 43% in June 2019.