Nutri-Score Labeling System Questioned for Accuracy in Assessing Cocoa Quality

The widely used Nutri-Score labeling system, designed to help European consumers make informed food choices, is facing scrutiny for its ability to accurately reflect the nutritional complexity of soluble cocoa products. A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Granada in Spain reveals that the system may not adequately capture the health benefits associated with cocoa, potentially misleading consumers.

Study Highlights Inaccuracies in Cocoa Assessment

The research, a pioneering effort in applying non-targeted metabolomics to nutritional labeling evaluation, analyzed 54 soluble cocoa products from 19 different brands, all carrying Nutri-Score ratings ranging from A to D. Researchers found a limited correlation between a product’s Nutri-Score and its actual nutritional composition, particularly concerning bioactive compounds known to have positive health effects University of Granada.

The Nutri-Score system primarily bases its classifications on factors like sugar content, saturated fat, salt, and calorie count. However, this approach overlooks key cocoa-specific compounds, including phenolic compounds, bioactive peptides, and antioxidants, which are linked to various health benefits The Spanish Eye.

Healthier Cocoa Products May Receive Lower Ratings

The study found that products with higher cocoa content and richer bioactive profiles – and therefore potentially healthier – are often penalized with poorer ratings (C or D). Conversely, highly processed products containing sweeteners or thickeners can receive top Nutri-Score grades The Spanish Eye. In some instances, cocoa drinks labeled “no added sugar,” despite being heavily processed and containing numerous additives, scored better than 100% pure cocoa products.

Metabolomics Reveals a More Complex Picture

The research team employed untargeted metabolomics, a cutting-edge technique that examines the full chemical profile of foods, to gain a more comprehensive understanding of cocoa’s nutritional value. Their analysis revealed that Nutri-Score classifications do not align with the actual metabolic diversity of soluble cocoa products PubMed.

Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Partial Least Squares regression (PLS2) analyses showed no clear clustering by Nutri-Score categories, further highlighting the system’s limitations PubMed. Bioactive compounds were found to correlate more closely with actual cocoa content than with the Nutri-Score category.

Implications for Consumers and Regulatory Bodies

These findings raise concerns about the effectiveness of the Nutri-Score system in guiding consumers towards healthier cocoa choices. The study underscores the need for more comprehensive labeling approaches that integrate metabolomic insights to provide a more realistic view of nutritional quality Granada Digital.

“Our work shows that the Nutri-Score system does not capture the complexity of foods rich in bioactive compounds, such as cocoa, which can lead to misinterpretations by consumers,” says Celia Rodríguez, professor in the Department of Nutrition and Food Science at the University of Granada Granada Digital.

The conclusions of this research are particularly relevant as the future of Nutri-Score in the European Union is currently under debate.