Three questions with Charlotte Rosendahl on the Nutri-Score

We were the first player in the German food retail sector to decide to implement Nutri-Score. We remain convinced of its added value as a guide for shoppers. Since 2020, we have labeled all processed REWE and PENNY private label products to which Nutri-Score is applicable with the Nutri-Score. We have thus successfully implemented and completed the introduction of Nutri-Score.

As long as the system is not mandatory, everyone can do what they want. We would like to see even more participants join in order to increase transparency for customers.

In addition, we cannot label individual products with protected designation of origin or origin labeling with the Nutri-Score. In this case, the respective consortia or variety organizations do not allow Nutri-Score labeling if the Nutri-Score is not accepted in the countries of origin themselves or if other systems are used.

Different nutritional labels in different countries are not ideal. In our view, it is important that the various nutritional labels on internationally traded products are at least mutually recognized within the EU member states, but unfortunately this is not currently the case. We would like to see even more uniform labeling at the European level.

We welcome the fundamental further development of the Nutri-Score, as there is certainly still room for improvement here. However, the new calculation means that the Nutri-Score will be lower for the majority of items in the future. We will therefore have to adjust the layout of a significant proportion of our own-brand products and apply the newly calculated Nutri-Scores. This will cost a lot of money – but also credibility and acceptance among our customers.