Coming from opposite parts of the spectrum of interpreting studies about Nutri-Score: Suggestion of publication bias cannot be denied

Background

The front-of-pack label Nutri-Score is currently proposed as the system of choice in seven EU countries. However, there is still much scientific debate about the validation and efficacy of Nutri-Score and there is much discussion about author affiliation and study outcome.

Methods

Recently we published our paper: Nutri-Score and publication bias: A complete literature review of the substantiation of the effectiveness of the front-of-pack logo Nutri-Score Peters & Verhagen, PharmaNutrition 27 C (2024) 100380. This paper received a commentary paper by the developers of Nutri-Score: M. Touvier et al., 2024 “Rebuttal to the paper published by S. Peters and H. Verhagen”. We herewith provide an invited commentary to that rebuttal paper, which further supports the observed publication bias.

Results

In this response to the rebuttal, we primarily respond on the scientific issues raised in the rebuttal and explain more about our alleged conflict of interest and our motivation to write the paper. Moreover, we basically thank the authors of the rebuttal paper for, perhaps ironically but essentially, confirming our analysis: there is a publication bias versus affiliation.

Discussion

Overall, the available evidence is clearly limited and biased, and more research is needed to substantiate or disprove the effectiveness of Nutri-Score.