Nestlé Switzerland ditches Nutri-Score and opts for QR codes on select brands

Nestlé has decided to gradually remove the Nutri-Score from its brands Cailler, Thomy, Leisi, Incarom, Chokito, Henniez, Nestea, and Romanette, which are sold exclusively in Switzerland. All other Nestlé brands sold in Switzerland will continue to carry the Nutri-Score.

The FMCG giant says the low adoption of the Nutri-Score in Switzerland due to declining political support in the country signals that the Nutri-Score can no longer fulfill its function of enabling comparability between similar products.

In a statement, the company explains: “When Nestlé introduced Nutri-Score in 2019, it was one of the first companies in Europe to join the program. Since then, we have adopted Nutri-Score on thousands of Nestlé products in continental Europe.”

“However, general support for this form of nutrition labeling has declined significantly in the country since then. Today, Nestlé brands are often the only ones in their product categories to carry the Nutri-Score.”

Plans to uphold nutrition transparency

Nestlé stresses its commitment to transparency in nutrition labeling and plans to strengthen this in Switzerland. It will retain full nutritional information provided on product packaging.

In place of the Nutri-Score, Nestlé will introduce a QR code on packaging that will allow consumers to access “even more detailed information,” particularly on ingredients, nutritional values, recommended portion sizes, and nutritional advice.

“More than five years after deciding to commit to the Nutri-Score, we have to acknowledge that the label has not achieved the desired level of acceptance in this country. Many companies have never participated, important players have withdrawn, and political support has declined, and the result is that today we are practically the only ones in our product categories still using the Nutri-Score,” states the company.

“The purpose of the Nutri-Score is to help consumers compare the nutritional value of products within the same category and help them make more informed choices. This added value is lost when only one brand or a few products carry the label.”

Gradual phase-out agenda

Nestlé continues to support and implement Nutri-Score on relevant products throughout Europe, with the exception of local brands sold exclusively in Switzerland. International brands available in Switzerland will continue to carry Nutri-Score labels.

The elimination of the Nutri-Score for Nestlé’s local brands in Switzerland will be phased out to avoid packaging waste. The transition will take place brand by brand from mid-2025 to the end of 2026.

Offering an alternative take on label transparency, a recent study from Georgetown University, US, found “no evidence” linking the adoption of front-of-package labeling to positive changes in food intake, diet quality, and obesity rates. Instead, it recommends portion control and management to reduce obesity levels over nutritional label scoring.