French National Assembly Mandates Nutri-Score on Food Packaging with Specific Exemptions
The French National Assembly votes to mandate Nutri-Score labeling on food packaging, exempting certain traditional products, while government officials debate legal and practical challenges.
- • Nutri-Score labeling is now mandatory except for products with AOP, AOC, or IGP labels.
- • Health Minister Stéphanie Rist warns of possible EU legal conflicts.
- • A 5% tax on non-compliance faces operational challenges.
- • Supporters say Nutri-Score helps consumers make healthier choices, while critics cite business constraints.
Key details
On November 8, 2025, the French National Assembly adopted a measure to make the Nutri-Score mandatory on food packaging across France. This legislative action, proposed through identical socialist and ecological amendments, was passed during the examination of the 2026 Social Security budget. The Nutri-Score is a front-of-pack nutritional labeling system aimed at helping consumers make healthier food choices by providing clearer nutritional information.
However, the measure includes exemptions for certain products bearing national or European quality labels such as AOP (Appellation d’Origine Protégée), AOC (Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée), and IGP (Indication Géographique Protégée). Renaissance MP Jean-François Rousset introduced this clarification to avoid unfair comparison between traditional terroir products and ultra-processed foods.
Health Minister Stéphanie Rist expressed reservations about the amendment, cautioning that it might conflict with European Union laws and potentially attract sanctions, though she acknowledged the increasing consumer interest in Nutri-Score. Furthermore, Thibault Bazin, the Social Security budget’s general rapporteur, voiced concerns about the feasibility of implementing a proposed 5% tax on companies failing to display the label, citing operational challenges ahead.
Ecologist MP Sabrina Sebaihi supported the measure, highlighting its importance in empowering consumers to make informed choices, especially given that major brands like Coca-Cola and Ferrero do not voluntarily display Nutri-Scores despite offering unhealthy products. Conversely, National Rally’s Julien Limongi criticized the amendments, viewing them as burdensome constraints on businesses.
The full Social Security budget, including this Nutri-Score measure, is scheduled for a vote in the Assembly midweek before moving to Senate consideration.