- Avv. Paola Corte
NutrInform Battery: the Italian alternative to Nutriscore is coming soon
We focus on the consumer and the principles of the Mediterranean diet. Consumers have the right to be informed correctly and our food excellence cannot be penalized by a traffic light. The promotion of healthy eating habits requires a multidisciplinary approach, centered on the concept of 'healthy diet'. NutrInform is our alternative to Nutriscore, but it is far better. It is not penalizing, it does not give licenses for good or bad: it informs.
These are the words with which the Italian Minister for Agriculture, Teresa Bellanova, announces the signature of the decree introducing the optional nutritional logo called "NutrInform Battery".
The "NutrInform Battery" logo is an optional logo that aims at making the mandatory nutritional information pursuant to Reg. (EC) no. 1169/2011 more easily comprehensible for the consumer.
How it will work:
The logo indicates amounts of the energy, fat, saturated fat, sugar and salt content present in a single portion of food.
The "battery" symbol indicates the percentage of energy, fat, saturated fat, sugar and salt provided by the single portion compared to the recommended daily intake.
For this purpose, operators must refer to the Reference Intakes, i.e. the recommended average daily quantities of energy and nutrients, indicated in Annex XIII of Regulation (EU) no. 1169/2011.
The indication in the "battery" symbol should therefore allow the consumer to understand how much a given food contributes, with its nutrients, to the daily needs of a reference adult. This is expressed in percentages.
The scope of the decree will exclude two types of products: food packaged in packaging or containers with the largest surface measuring less than 25 cm²; and PDO, PGI and TSG products referred to in Regulation (EU) no. 1151/2012, allegedly due to the risk that further logos could prevent the consumer from recognizing the quality mark.
The size of the logo, colors and other technical details for printing will be made public in a user manual that will be made available to operators.
Food business operators who intend to use the "NutrInform Battery" logo must inform the Ministry of Health - Directorate General for hygiene and food safety and nutrition, in a manner that will be subsequently communicated. FBOs who voluntarily apply the "NutrInform Battery" nutritional logo undertake to gradually extend its use to all products belonging to the same product category.
When it will be applicable
The provision has not yet been published in the Official Journal. The press release only announces the signature by the Ministry of Agriculture.
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