Impact of update of the algorithm underlying the computation of the Nutri-Score on the sliced/sandwich bread category

The front-of-pack nutrition label Nutri-Score aims to inform the consumer about the nutritional quality of pre-packaged foods. It currently relies on an algorithm developed in 2016. In 2022, in the framework of the transnational governance of Nutri-Score, the interna-tional scientific committee in charge of the update of the algorithm highlighted some points of improvement and proposed some modifications to the initial algorithm of 2016. This study aimed to demonstrate that the updated Nutri-Score algorithm is more effective than the old one in terms of discriminating between sandwich breads based on their nutritional quality, based on criteria such as salt and fibre content, in which sandwich breads is high (particularly whole -grain bread). The data from 326 white bread loaves and 158 whole grain loaves from the Open Food Facts database were studied. With the update, white and whole grain loaves underwent a shift from classes A and B to classes B and C respectively. The update of the Nutri-Score algorithm allows for better discrimination of foods based on their fibre content (P < 10-3), but no difference in the ability to discriminate salt is observed. The modification of the Nutri-Score algorithm allows a more effective discrimination of sandwich breads on their fibre content.(c) 2023 Societe francaise de nutrition. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.