What Is Nutri-Score?
Nutri-Score is a front-of-pack nutrition label that grades food products from A (healthiest) to E (least healthy) using a colour-coded scale: dark green (A), light green (B), yellow (C), orange (D), and red (E).
Developed by French nutritional epidemiologist Serge Hercberg, Nutri-Score was officially adopted by France in 2017 and has since been endorsed by Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Spain, and Switzerland. It's the system used by Yuka, the food scanning app with over 80 million users globally.
How Nutri-Score Is Calculated
The Nutri-Score algorithm evaluates products per 100g using two sets of criteria:
Negative Points (0-40)
- •Energy (kilojoules) — higher energy = more negative points
- •Sugars — total sugar content
- •Saturated fat — linked to cardiovascular risk
- •Sodium — excess salt intake is a major health concern
Positive Points (0-15)
- •Fibre — supports digestive health
- •Protein — essential macronutrient
- •Fruit, vegetables, nuts, and legumes — percentage of whole food content
The final score = negative points minus positive points. This number maps to a letter grade:
| Score Range | Grade | Colour |
|---|---|---|
| -1 or less | A | Dark Green |
| 0 to 2 | B | Light Green |
| 3 to 10 | C | Yellow |
| 11 to 18 | D | Orange |
| 19 or more | E | Red |
Nutri-Score vs Australia's Health Star Rating
Australia uses the Health Star Rating (HSR) system, which rates products from 0.5 to 5 stars. Both systems aim to help consumers make healthier choices, but they differ in important ways.
| Feature | Nutri-Score | Health Star Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Scale | A to E (5 grades) | 0.5 to 5 stars (9 grades) |
| Colour coding | Yes (green to red) | No (stars only) |
| Mandatory | Mandatory in some EU countries | Voluntary in Australia |
| Processing level | Not considered | Not considered |
| Additives | Not considered | Not considered |
| Adoption | 7 countries, 80M+ Yuka users | Australia & New Zealand |
Neither system is perfect on its own. Both ignore ultra-processing (NOVA classification) and food additives. This is why KnowYourFood combines both ratings with NOVA processing levels and additive analysis for a more complete health picture.
Why Nutri-Score Matters for Australians
1. It's Simpler Than Stars
Research published in the British Medical Journal found that Nutri-Score's colour-coded A-E system is understood faster and more accurately than star-based systems, particularly among people with lower health literacy. The traffic-light colours (green = good, red = bad) are intuitive across all demographics.
2. It Enables Quick Comparison
When you're standing in the supermarket comparing two pasta sauces, seeing "A" vs "D" is faster to process than "3.5 stars" vs "2 stars." The letter grades create clearer separation between healthy and unhealthy options.
3. It's Backed by Strong Evidence
Multiple peer-reviewed studies have linked Nutri-Score adoption to improved dietary choices. A 2020 study in The Lancet found that consumers exposed to Nutri-Score labels purchased products with 2.5% fewer calories, 4% less saturated fat, and 3.5% less sugar.
How to Check Any Product's Nutri-Score in Australia
Since Nutri-Score isn't printed on Australian packaging, you need a tool to calculate it. KnowYourFood automatically computes the Nutri-Score for every product you scan, displaying the familiar A-E colour grade alongside the health score and NOVA processing level.
Simply scan any barcode at Coles, Woolworths, ALDI, or any Australian supermarket. The app pulls the product's nutritional data and calculates the Nutri-Score in real time.
The Future of Food Labelling in Australia
In February 2026, Australian food ministers moved closer to mandating the Health Star Rating system on all packaged foods. While Nutri-Score isn't currently being considered for official adoption in Australia, its growing global influence — particularly through apps like Yuka and KnowYourFood — means Australian consumers increasingly expect access to this information.
Until food labelling catches up, scanning apps remain the fastest way to access comprehensive nutritional ratings. KnowYourFood gives you both the Health Star Rating and Nutri-Score for every product, plus processing level and additive information that no label provides.