Online tool helps manufacturers navigate HFSS regulations

December 8, 2022

Kerry has launched a new tool which will enable manufacturers to optimise the nutritional profile of products while also being aware of front of pack regulations.

KerryNutri Guide is able to measure food and beverage products across a wide range of front-of-pack nutrition labelling systems and help the user with achieving a better score.

The tool has been launched in response to promoting healthier diets amid a “changing regulatory environment”, as regulation becomes stricter about HFSS (high in fat, sugar and salt) products in particular. Globally, governments across the world are introducing taxes and restrictions on these products in a move to combat health issues associated with high fat, sugar and salt content while manufacturers have the challenge of creating great tasting products that still meet these guidelines.

In the UK, regulation on restricting where HFSS products are placed in stores has already passed as of October 2022, stipulating that they cannot be placed in areas identified as key locations with regards to consumer purchasing decisions. As of October 2023, the regulation passed will restrict HFSS products by volume price: multibuy offers or ‘buy one get one free’ for example.

The online tool is expected to support brands in navigating a changing regulatory landscape by quantifying the nutrition score of products against over 10 global nutrient profile models and guiding users on how to improve their score.

“In the past five years we have witnessed the most significant increase in nutrition restrictions and tax implementations to tackle obesity in history. Today over 40 countries worldwide use a front of pack nutrition label and this can be challenging for companies who have products that are sold in multiple markets,” explained Albert McQuaid, Global Chief Science and Technology Officer at Kerry. “KerryNutri Guide measures products against the various front of pack requirements while also demonstrating how improving the nutritional profile can improve their score.

“It can be incredibly challenging for companies who sell products into multiple countries to understand exactly how these labelling systems will appear on their product. Using KerryNutri Guide, we can innovate with customers to create products that meet challenges such as sugar taxes, sodium reduction targets, and comprehensive nutritional profile models. We have a broad range of technologies that can support reformulation as well as leading insights to support manufacturers in a challenging environment.”

Using data entered by the user the tool will measure the impact of a product that is packaged and ready to be sold to the end consumer, calculating energy as well as fat, sugar, fibre, protein and salt content. The tool then displays the nutrient score of each input showing areas that are close to or exceeding a regulatory or dietary threshold.

As regulations vary depending on the country it offers regional insights and uses data to replicate on-pack labels used in the EU, Brazil, UK, Mexico, Singapore, Australia New Zealand. It will show the HFSS score of the product for the UK market, for example, and is also capable of showing the user what sugar taxes apply for each region with regards to beverages.

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