Abstract
Nutrient profiling is a discipline aimed at classifying foods based on their nutritional composition. So far, several profiling schemes have been proposed for varied purposes world-wide. Primary aim to inventory the main profiling schemes that have been developed so far (both applied and not) and to summarise their main aspects. Secondary aim to critically review a selection of them, to test their “performance” and to evaluate their strengths and weaknesses. Scientific and popular search engines were used for identifying profiling schemes. Schemes were described concisely by providing details on four main “Building Blocks” or factors: (1) Food category declination: category-wise or “across the board”; (2) Reference amount: 100 g, 100 kcal; serving; (3) Cut-off use: thresholds or scores; (4) Nutrients Selection: balance between positive and negative nutrients and number of them. The “performance” analysis was done by testing how the selected schemes classify a sample of food. Profiling schemes display considerable variation based on the underlying approach, format and content. Moreover, the rationale of the schemes largely varies and seems to be inspired by either nutrient recommendations or regulations figures. When tested for “performance”, the five selected schemes classify in the same way foods having either a very “positive” or a very “negative” nutrient profile, whereas they give inconsistent results for food products with intermediate characteristics. Strengths and weaknesses analysis shows the difficulty of finding schemes combining qualities such as simplicity, scientific relevance, ability to cope with changes in nutrient recommendations. Current proposed profiling schemes exhibit a wide range of differences both in terms of approaches and “performance”. Nutrition scientists have now the challenge to develop the “ideal scheme” that, in our view, will have to be strict enough to ensure consumer protection but also flexible enough to encourage food industry innovation and to promote a “healthy” competitive market.
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Acknowledgments
The authors would like to thank the participants of the Workshop ‘Nutritional Characterisation of Foods: Science-based Approach to Nutrient Profiling’, 25-27 April 2006, Spain for their useful comments and discussions.
This publication was coordinated by Carina Madsen, Scientific Project Manager at ILSI Europe. This work was commissioned by the Functional Foods Task Force of the European branch of the International Life Sciences Institute (ILSI Europe). Industry members of this task force are Ajinomoto Europe, Barilla G. & R. Fratelli, BASF, Bayer CropScience BioScience, Beneo-Orafti, Beverage Partners Worldwide, Campina, Coca-Cola European Union Group, Colloïdes Naturels International, CSM, Danisco, Dow Europe, Friesland Foods, Frutarom, GlaxoSmithKline, Groupe Danone, Kellogg, Kraft Foods, Mars, McNeil Nutritionals, Monsanto Europe-Africa, Nestlé, PepsiCo International, Procter & Gamble, Raisio, Red Bull, Royal Cosun, Südzucker, Tate & Lyle Speciality Sweeteners, Unilever, Valio, Wild Flavors, Wimm-Bill-Dann Foods, Yakult Europe. For further information about ILSI Europe, please call + 32 2 771.00.14 or email info@ilsieurope.be. The opinions expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of ILSI Europe.
DisclosureJ. de Vries works for the company CSM. M. Smith is a Unilever plc shareholder. The other authors have no conflict of interest to declare.
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Jan de Vries: Now working for CSM
Maurice Smith: Now working for Philip Morris International R&D)
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Garsetti, M., de Vries, J., Smith, M. et al. Nutrient profiling schemes: overview and comparative analysis. Eur J Nutr 46 (Suppl 2), 15–28 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-007-2002-7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-007-2002-7