Italy’s challenge to Nutri-Score: Constitution as bulwark

Italy, known for its passion for good food and love of traditional foods, is preparing for a challenge of historic proportions. In fact, Giorgia Meloni’s government has initiated procedures to amend the Italian Constitution to thwart the adoption of the Nutri-Score labeling system, which is strongly supported at the European level. This bold move could have a significant impact not only on Italian food policy, but also on the balance of power within the European Union.

The Nutri-Score: A controversial system

The Nutri-Score is a nutritional labeling system that converts the nutritional value of foods into a scale code ranging from A (green) to E (red), indicating health benefits. Although it has been adopted in six EU member states, Italy has always expressed strong reservations about this system, believing it unfairly penalizes certain food products that are symbols of the Mediterranean diet, such as extra virgin olive oil.

Italy’s position

The Italian Minister of Agriculture, Francesco Lollobrigida, has announced a proposal to amend the Constitution to add the right to healthy food among the fundamental rights of Italian citizens. This move would aim to protect food products that represent national identity, making it more difficult to adopt the Nutri-Score in Italy.

The challenge to the European Union

The proposed constitutional amendment is a direct challenge to the European Union’s efforts to introduce a harmonized EU-wide labeling system. So far, Italy has organized several initiatives in Brussels to oppose the Nutri-Score, succeeding in slowing its progress. Now, the constitutional amendment could be a further obstacle to the adoption of this system in Italy.

The NutrInform Battery system

As an alternative to the Nutri-Score, Italy has instead promoted the NutrInform Battery system, which offers nutritional information on foods and beverages, highlighting nutritionists’ recommended portions and the relative contribution of calories, salt, sugar and fat to the diet.

Benefits of the NutrInform Battery

The NutrInform Battery system is considered more transparent and informative than the Nutri-Score, as it provides detailed data on nutritional elements, rather than just an overall assessment. This approach enables consumers to make more informed decisions about their nutrition.

Challenges in European-wide adoption

Despite the advantages of the NutrInform Battery, its adoption at the European level may prove to be a challenge. The European Union seems to be leaning toward the introduction of a harmonized labeling system, such as the Nutri-Score, which could make acceptance of national alternatives such as the Italian model more difficult.

Implications for the European Union

The proposed Italian constitutional amendment could have significant implications for the balance of power within the European Union. The president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, may try to reach a compromise with the Italian government, especially in view of the upcoming European elections.

Convergence between Meloni and von der Leyen

According to some experts, the orientations of Meloni and von der Leyen seem to converge on some issues, such as immigration. This convergence could give Meloni greater negotiating leverage vis-à-vis the European Commission in the coming months until the new executive is formed.

Possible negotiations and compromises

The Italian constitutional amendment could become the subject of negotiations between Rome and Brussels, with the possibility of reaching a compromise on how to deal with food labeling at the European level. This could have implications not only for Italy, but also for other member countries that have expressed misgivings about the Nutri-Score.

Implications for Italian consumers

The proposed constitutional amendment would have a direct impact on Italian consumers, ensuring their right to healthy food and the protection of food products that represent national identity.

Protection of traditional food products

The constitutional amendment would aim to protect food products that symbolize Italian cultural identity, such as extra virgin olive oil, which is currently classified as D (orange) in the Nutri-Score system.

Increased consumer awareness

The constitutional change could also promote greater awareness among Italian consumers about the importance of healthy and balanced eating, going beyond the simple A-E ratings provided by the Nutri-Score.

Implications for the Italian food sector

Italy’s challenge to the Nutri-Score will inevitably have implications for the domestic food sector, both at the producer and distributor level.

Benefits for Italian producers

Traditional Italian food producers could benefit from constitutional protection, seeing the value of their products recognized and facilitating their marketing both domestically and internationally.

Adjustment of marketing strategies

Food companies will have to adjust their marketing and labeling strategies to align with the new regulatory framework if the constitutional amendment is approved.

Implications for the European food market

Italy’s challenge to the Nutri-Score could have implications for the entire European food market, affecting regulatory dynamics and product competitiveness.

Possible knock-on effects in other countries

Other EU member countries that have expressed misgivings about the Nutri-Score could be encouraged to follow Italy’s example, making it more difficult to adopt a harmonized labeling system at the European level.

Challenges for regulatory harmonization

The Italian constitutional amendment could complicate EU efforts to harmonize food labeling regulations, requiring more complex negotiations and compromises among member states.

Conclusions

Italy’s challenge to the Nutri-Score through a constitutional amendment represents a bold and strategic move. Not only could this initiative have a significant impact on Italian food policy, but it could also influence the balance of power within the European Union. While Italian consumers could benefit from the protection of traditional food products, the European food sector and markets will face new challenges and changing dynamics.

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