EFSA publishes scientific advice related to nutrient profiling

On 19 April 2022, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) published their scientific advice related to nutrient profiling. 

In main findings from the report, intakes of energy, saturated fats, sodium and added sugars or free sugars are too high in Europe, so a reduction them would help to combat chronic diseases linked to unhealthy diets. On the other hand, dietary fibre and potassium intakes are too low in most European adult populations, so increasing them would also contribute to improved health. EFSA's nutrition experts have identified the nutrients and non-nutrient food components of public health importance for Europeans, the food groups with important roles in European diets, and scientific criteria to guide the choice of nutrients for nutrient profiling. 

The European Commission requested EFSA’s scientific advice to inform both the development of a future EU-wide system for front-of-pack nutrition labelling and conditions for restricting nutrition and health claims on foods. Importantly, EFSA did not evaluate or propose a particular nutrient profiling model for either of these purposes. 

Prior to publication of their advice, EFSA held a public consultation on the draft opinion from November 2021 to January 2022, generating 529 comments from 83 organisations and individuals in 21 countries. 

As part of the Farm to Fork strategy, the European Commission intends to propose a revision of existing legislation on the provision of food information to consumers at the end of 2022. EFSA’s scientific input will inform the commission’s proposal alongside other evidence collected by the commission, with future updates will be made available on the commission's website. 

Source: EFSA, 19 April 2022