But instead of being adopted by the Ministry of Health, it is currently being trialled in a select number of French supermarkets along with other potential nutrition logos.

Professor Hercberg spoke to FoodNavigator about the influence of lobbies and conflicts of interest in this trial period, and whether he is optimistic that the best choice for public health will be made.

“The food and retail lobbies have pushed the Health Ministry to carry out a so-called ‘life-size’ trial period in supermarkets. From a methodological perspective it’s very complicated. No country has ever done it – not because they don’t want to but because it’s so complex and wastes time.

“Above all, the protocol being used is controversial, there are conflicts of interest and it has led to the resignation of several researchers including the CEO of [France’s national research institute] INSERM who sat on the study’s steering committee. This shows how dubious the methodology is.”

Professor Hercberg added that not enough products have the logo – only around 50% - to give the researchers an accurate idea, with many brands opted out.

“We risk ending up with a study that doesn’t answer any questions. Worse still, it was not given to a team of academics researchers but a structure financed 100% by the food industry. It’s a waste of time and money. It will cost more than two million euros and will produce a very uncertain outcome.”

 

You can read the full article HERE

 

Food Labelling Services comments:

With issues throughout Europe on the UK's traffic light labelling and now controversy on the French 5 colour logo, it appears that the format of front of pack nutrition signposting will still be undecided for the significant future.