Nährwertprofilierungs

Nährwertprofilierungs, often translated as nutrient profiling, is a system used to classify or rank foods based on their nutritional content. The primary goal of nutrient profiling is to help consumers make healthier food choices and to guide regulatory policies, such as restrictions on food advertising to children or the placement of foods in public settings. Different nutrient profiling systems exist, often focusing on a balance of "nutrients to limit" like saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars, and "nutrients to encourage" such as fiber, protein, and certain vitamins and minerals.

The development of these systems typically involves assigning points or scores to foods based on their levels of these selected nutrients. Foods that score above a certain threshold are considered healthier, while those below may be subject to restrictions. The specific criteria and weighting of nutrients can vary significantly between different nutrient profiling models, leading to variations in how foods are categorized. For example, the UK's Department of Health uses a traffic-light system based on nutrient profiling, while the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has developed a model for Latin America.

Nutrient profiling is a tool intended to simplify complex nutritional information, making it more accessible to the general public. It plays a role in public health strategies aimed at combating diet-related diseases. However, the methodologies and their application can be subject to debate, with discussions around the selection of nutrients, the scoring algorithms, and the potential impact on the food industry.