The Nutri Score a Solution for Central America’s Nutrition Policy? First Results from Belize

Abstract

The Nutri-Score is a well-known nutritional label in Western Europe and has been successfully introduced in seven European countries since 2017. Numerous studies have shown (Skretkowicz & Perret 2024) that the Nutri-Score is recognized by consumers and that it has an impact on their purchasing decisions. This qualitative study examines the theoretical potential and acceptance of the Nutri-Score in Belize. For this purpose, 11 interviews with participants from different professional backgrounds were conducted, which showed that there is a general interest in healthy eating. At present, FoPL is not present in Belize, so respondents indicated that they pay attention to the expiration date and nutritional table of packaged foods. The survey shows that there are potential benefits to introducing the Nutri-Score, but also challenges such as limited product choice and cultural backgrounds that shape dietary behavior. To increase trust in the FoPL in society, suggestions were made on how to improve the effectiveness of the Nutri-Score. These include education by the government, collaboration with nutrition experts, and defined regulations for food manufacturers.

Keywords: Nutri-Score, Belize, Nutrition, policy, nudging, label, Latin America