Kerry launches new tool to measure nutrition and labelling
The KerryNutri Guide can measure food and beverages across a wide range of front-of-pack nutrition labelling systems and guide the user to a better score.
It has been developed in response to the need to promote healthier diets globally amid a changing regulatory environment.
Food manufacturers are facing various challenges across the globe as Governments are clamping down on foods that are high in fat, sugar and salt to combat health issues.
Nutrition score
This online tool can quantify the nutrition score of products against over 10 global nutrient profile models. Kerry revealed that it can also guide users on how that score can be improved.
The tool measures the impact of a product that is packaged and ready for the end consumer, calculating energy as well as saturated fat, sugar, fibre, protein and salt content. It then displays the nutrient score of each input, showing areas that are close to or exceeding a regulatory or dietary threshold. It is also able to show the scores in various countries and can display what sugar taxes apply for each region in beverages.
In addition, the tool simulates what nutritional claims can make on pack, whether the product is low in fat, sugar, salt, or is a source of fibre or protein.
Restrictions
“In the past five years we have witnessed the most significant increase in nutrition restrictions and tax implementations to tackle obesity in history. Today over 40 countries worldwide use a front of pack nutrition label and this can be challenging for companies who have products that are sold in multiple markets. KerryNutri Guide measures products against the various front of pack requirements while also demonstrating how improving the nutritional profile can improve their score," said Albert McQuaid, global chief science and technology officer at Kerry.
"It can be incredibly challenging for companies who sell products into multiple countries to understand exactly how these labelling systems will appear on their product. Using KerryNutri Guide, we can innovate with customers to create products that meet challenges such as sugar taxes, sodium reduction targets, and comprehensive nutritional profile models. We have a broad range of technologies that can support reformulation as well as leading insights to support manufacturers in a challenging environment. We need to work together to create a world of sustainable nutrition, that is better for people and the planet – KerryNutri Guide is one way that we can support customers in our joint goals.”
