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Front of package labels and olive oil: a call for caution

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 76, pages 502–504 (2022)Cite this article

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The EU’s potential adoption of a uniform front-of-package (FOP) nutritional labeling system will most likely correspond to the popular French proposal Nutri-Score. A debate is currently being pulled in two opposing directions [1]. Those who are against the Nutri-Score believe it would penalize traditional cultural Mediterranean products, such as olive oil, parmesan cheese, and cured ham, while those in favor see FOPs as a tool to significantly improve consumer choices.

However, neither position draws on rigorous analysis of the available scientific evidence, the criteria applied by the Nutri-Score system or the implications it would have on public health. Before a particular FOP can be adopted, further analysis should be conducted and similar systems should be compared in order to make the best decision for consumers.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy

    Francesco Visioli

  2. IMDEA-Food, CEI UAM+CSIC, Madrid, Spain

    Francesco Visioli

  3. Public Health and Epidemiology Research Group, School of Medicine, Universidad de Alcala, Madrid, Spain

    Manuel Franco

  4. Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA

    Manuel Franco

  5. Department of Preventive Medicine & Public Health, Medical School-IDISNA, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain

    Miguel Ángel Martínez-González

  6. CIBER-OBN, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain

    Miguel Ángel Martínez-González

  7. Department of Nutrition, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA

    Miguel Ángel Martínez-González

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  1. Francesco Visioli
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  3. Miguel Ángel Martínez-González
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All authors equally contributed to the article, including idea, writing, and editing.

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Correspondence to Francesco Visioli.

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Visioli, F., Franco, M. & Martínez-González, M.Á. Front of package labels and olive oil: a call for caution. Eur J Clin Nutr 76, 502–504 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41430-021-00989-0

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