European Journal of Nutrition. 2007;46(Suppl.2):15-28
Nutrient profiling is a discipline aimed at classifying foods based on their nutritional composition. So far, several profiling schemes have been proposed for varied purposes world-wide. Primary aim to inventory the main profiling schemes that have been developed so far (both applied and not) and to summarise their main aspects. A secondary aim is to critically review a selection of them, to test their ‘‘performance’’ and to evaluate their strengths and weaknesses.
Strengths and weaknesses analysis shows the difficulty of finding schemes combining qualities such as simplicity, scientific relevance, ability to cope with changes in nutrient recommendations. Current proposed profiling schemes exhibit a wide range of differences both in terms of approaches and ‘‘performance’’. Nutrition scientists have now the challenge to develop the ‘‘ideal scheme’’ that, in our view, will have to be strict enough to ensure consumer protection but also flexible enough to encourage food industry innovation and to promote a ‘‘healthy’’ competitive market.
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