Foodwatch demands mandatory Nutri-Score - Germany's Nutri-Score Push: Why This Food Label Is Still Missing from Shelves

A colour-coded food labelling system called Nutri-Score remains rare in Germany, despite being introduced five years ago in France. The scheme rates products from 'A' (healthiest) to 'E' (least healthy) based on ingredients like sugar, fat, salt, and fibre. Now, consumer group Foodwatch is calling on the government to make the label compulsory nationwide.

Nutri-Score was designed to help shoppers quickly assess how healthy a product is. It uses a simple scale, with green 'A' for the best options and red 'E' for those high in unhealthy components. Currently, only 960 companies—covering 1,420 brands—display the label voluntarily in Germany.

Research shows that while 78% of German consumers recognise Nutri-Score, just 31% actually use it when shopping. The main reason is its limited visibility on supermarket shelves. Foodwatch argues that without mandatory rules, too few products carry the label, making it ineffective for most buyers. The group has now written to Germany's Food and Agriculture Minister, urging a national requirement. Their push comes as EU-wide efforts to standardise food labelling have stalled. Without action, they warn, shoppers will continue to struggle with unclear nutrition information.

Foodwatch's campaign highlights the gap between Nutri-Score's potential and its current reach. If adopted nationwide, the label could appear on far more products, giving consumers clearer guidance. For now, its impact remains limited by voluntary participation and patchy availability.