Mandatory Nutri-Score Labels: What the New Law Changes, and Who’s Exempt

On November 7, 2026, France's National Assembly voted on a measure that changes the game for food labeling: making the mandatory Nutri-Score display on prepackaged food packaging, with a notable exception for some regional and traditional products. The bill still has to continue its way through parliament, but the direction has been set: until now optional, the nutritional indicator could become the standard on store shelves.

A Mandatory Rule Passed—But Not for All Products

Since it was created, the Nutri-Score has relied on manufacturers' voluntary participation, leaving many products—often the lowest-scoring ones—free to never display it. The amendment that was adopted changes this default principle: prepackaged products will have to carry the letter and color corresponding to their score, under penalty of a fine that could reach 5% of revenue for companies that refuse to comply.

An exemption is nonetheless planned for products carrying a quality or origin label: Appellation d'Origine Protégée (AOP, the French protected designation of origin), Indication Géographique Protégée (IGP, the French protected geographical indication), Label Rouge, and organic farming certification. The precise list of products covered will be set by decree, which still leaves some uncertainty about how the measure will be applied in practice.

Why This Vote Changes the Game for Consumers

Making the display mandatory turns a once-partial tool into a systematic reference point at the moment of purchase. The debates surrounding stricter labeling rules point to an underlying trend: authorities are looking to reduce brands' leeway over how they present their products. For a shopper comparing two items on the shelf, the end of broad exemptions means fewer “gaps” in the information available—even though traditional regional products will remain exempt.

These labeling and food transparency issues are also at the heart of industry discussions, like those that take place every year at the major global food trade show, where manufacturers and retailers compare their practices against increasingly strict regulations.

A Revised Algorithm, and a Trial Extension to Restaurants

The Nutri-Score itself had already changed before this vote: its algorithm was revised back in March 2025 by a scientific committee bringing together seven European countries (France, Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Spain, and Switzerland), in order to better account for sugar and sweeteners found in beverages. As a result, some products saw their letter grade change without any change to their recipe.

Another change is underway, this one strictly voluntary: since April 8, 2026, the fifth National Nutrition and Health Program (PNNS5, France's national nutrition and health plan) has launched a three-year trial to extend the use of the Nutri-Score to food service outside the home—both institutional and commercial—as well as to non-prepackaged products. No obligation is planned at this stage for restaurant owners, as the approach remains based on voluntary commitment from businesses.

This regulatory shift comes as France's food industry is already grappling with other uncertainties, whether price volatility or, further upstream, fluctuations in grain harvests that weigh on the cost of processed raw materials.

What Still Needs to Be Confirmed

• The implementing decree still has to specify the exact list of products exempted under AOP, PGI, Label Rouge, or organic status.
• The bill, passed as part of the Social Security budget, still has to complete its journey through parliament before taking final effect.
• The extension to restaurants remains, for now, a voluntary three-year trial, with no timeline for a mandatory requirement announced.

Frequently Asked Questions

What becomes mandatory with this vote?

Displaying the Nutri-Score letter and color on the packaging of prepackaged food products, except for exempted product categories.

Which products are exempt from this requirement?

Products carrying AOP, PGI, Label Rouge, or organic certification, within a list that will be specified by decree.

Will the Nutri-Score become mandatory in restaurants?

No: its use in restaurants is part of a voluntary three-year trial launched in April 2026, with no obligation at this stage.

Sources

• France Info
• Assemblée nationale
• The Conversation

This article was written with the help of artificial intelligence. Editorial policy