⏱ 1 min 30 read
Background
Nutrient profiling tools used in many countries classify foods mainly by their sugar, sodium or fat content. They form the basis for package warnings, advertising restrictions or taxes. The World Health Organization (WHO), headquartered in Geneva, proposes to broaden these criteria.
The key points
Since 2 November 2026, WHO has been consulting on a new model for industrially manufactured pre-packaged foods. It combines nutrient thresholds with the presence of certain colourings, flavourings and sweeteners added to change a product’s taste, smell or appearance.
A product would be included as soon as it exceeds a nutrient threshold or contains one of the listed ingredients. WHO states that the presence of such an ingredient does not mean it is dangerous. The text imposes no new obligation on Member States.
On Monday 9 November 2026, food industry representatives challenged the draft, according to Benin Web TV. Nutrition researchers, by contrast, support the combined use of nutrient criteria and manufacturing processes.
What it means for businesses
- Processed food manufacturers : their products could be targeted by warnings, advertising limits or taxes, depending on each country’s choices.
- Manufacturers reformulating products : replacing sugar with a sweetener may not be enough to fall outside the scope of the measures.
Who says what
- International Food and Beverage Alliance (IFBA, major food companies): it fears the approach diverts attention from nutritional quality and cites reformulation and labelling costs and litigation risks.
- Nutrition researchers : they support the combined use of nutrient criteria and manufacturing characteristics.
What's next
- Comments open to governments, researchers, associations and companies until 27 November 2026, at 23:59.
- WHO will review the contributions before finalising the model.
Further reading
Sources
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