Nutrition profiling and labelling of healthy or functional meals

Abstract

Nutrient profiling is a method of ranking the healthiness of foods based on their nutrient composition. Many existing systems have been developed for regulatory purposes, such as the assessment of the suitability of foods to bear health claims or to be advertised to children, but increasingly profiling is being used to educate consumers via front-of-pack labelling. Most of the existing models have been developed for individual foods in retail settings, not for whole meals available in foodservices. To be effective and justifiable, nutrient profiling models must be science-based, transparent and demonstrate that they are comprehensible and useful to consumers. A case study of a new Heart Foundation Tick programme in Australian foodservices is presented. This paper also reviews existing international profiling systems and discusses some of the issues and challenges for application in meal services, such as compliance with standards, ensuring food safety and credible and effective means of communication.