Food giant Nestlé announces gradual withdrawal of Nutri-Score nutrition labeling from Swiss market products by 2026, marking significant shift in food transparency approach.
"This nutritional labelling has not had the hoped-for roll-out here in Switzerland: a number of companies never took part, major players pulled out, political support waned"
In a significant shift in food transparency practices, Swiss food giant Nestlé has announced the gradual withdrawal of its Nutri-Score nutrition labeling system from products sold in the Swiss market. The decision marks a notable change in how one of the world's largest food companies approaches nutritional information disclosure in its home market.
The company's decision comes as it finds itself nearly alone in maintaining the Nutri-Score system in Switzerland, where other major players have already abandoned the scheme. The Nutri-Score system, which uses a color-coded scale from A to E to rate food products' nutritional value, has faced declining support both from industry players and political stakeholders in Switzerland.
The phase-out process will begin in mid-2025 and continue through the end of 2026, with Nestlé taking a measured approach to minimize packaging waste. The withdrawal specifically affects local Swiss brands including Cailler, Thomy, Leisi, Incarom, Chokito, Henniez, Nestea, and Romanette.
Importantly, Nestlé products sold across multiple markets, including Switzerland, will continue to display the Nutri-Score label, creating a two-tier system in the company's product portfolio. This strategic approach reflects the company's recognition of differing market dynamics between purely domestic and international products.
Nestlé's decision follows a broader industry trend in Switzerland. In May 2024, Migros, one of Switzerland's largest retailers, announced its withdrawal from the Nutri-Score system, citing low consumer awareness and high implementation costs. Shortly after, Emmi, the prominent Swiss dairy processor, also abandoned the scheme for its CaffÚ Latte range.
This cascade of withdrawals from major Swiss food industry players signals a significant shift in the country's approach to nutritional labeling. The trend suggests a possible end to the Nutri-Score experiment in Switzerland, despite its continued use in other European markets.
As an alternative to Nutri-Score, Nestlé plans to implement QR codes on packaging to provide consumers with more detailed nutritional information. This digital solution aims to offer even more comprehensive product information while maintaining transparency.
Interestingly, while withdrawing from the Swiss market, Nestlé maintains its commitment to the Nutri-Score system across Europe, where it appears on thousands of products. This dual approach highlights the company's adaptive strategy to different market conditions and consumer preferences across regions.
The shift raises questions about the future of standardized nutritional labeling in Switzerland and whether digital solutions will become the new norm for consumer information in the food industry.