Carrefour requires suppliers to disclose Nutri-Score

Carrefour is going to require from all its suppliers in France to state the Nutri-Score of their products on the retailer’s website and app. Those who refuse to do so will be penalised.

A three-month deadline

Carrefour already lists the Nutri-Score of some 5,000 of its own private label products, and now the retailer is giving national brand manufacturers three months to do the same, CEO Alexandre Bompard wrote to his suppliers in a letter that came into the hands of Le Parisien.

If the manufacturer does not supply enough information, Carrefour will calculate the Nutri-Score itself. Manufacturers opposing the publication will be penalised: the retailer will inform its customers of the refusal, and will also exclude the brands concerned from the ‘mieux manger’ (‘eat better’) tool on its website. That tool allows customers to easily find a healthier alternative to their choices.

Resistance from brands

For Carrefour, the implementation of the Nutri-Score is an important part of its Act for Food programme, which commits the retailer to a healthy and sustainable food transition. The label helps shoppers make better choices.

However, a recent review of the algorithm behind the Nutri-Score has increased opposition among brand manufacturers. Noteworthy was the decision by Danone, originally one of the label’s proponents, to stop listing the Nutri-Score on its dairy drinks and plant-based alternatives because they received a less favourable score. Multinationals like Coca-Cola, Ferrero, Mars, Mondelez and Kraft Heinz never introduced the Nutri-Score. Carrefour is thus increasing the pressure on its biggest suppliers with this decision.