El Respect for the enviroment it has become a fundamental point in our lives. We are increasingly concerned with improving our environment and making a better world. And, this is no less in the gastronomic world. To the already more than known system Nutriscore He is joined by many others who seek to improve their function. That is why many countries in the European Union are adopting the labeled Eco Score in many of its products. Surely you are interested in knowing what the environmental impact of everything you put into your mouth is, right?
How does the Eco Score labeling work?
This system gives food products, in addition to ready-made meals, a score of up to 100 points, with color codes ranging from the dark green to red. Although, many of the consumers know it, above all, for its system of sort by letters, A to E. However, to find out how this labeling is calculated, one has to resort to a mathematical equation; Eco Score = life cycle assessment + bonus points - points deducted.
With regards to life assessment (LCA) is concerned, you should know that this is used to measure each and every one of the environmental aspects of a product. That is, from the cradle to the grave of food. The labeled Eco Score is based on the food categorization performed by ADEME. This company has evaluated the environmental impact of, at least, 2.500 categories of products. Therefore, thanks to this new tool, we, as consumers, will be able to know the ecological footprint of almost any product.
Other points to consider
You have already been able to verify that the labeled Eco Score focuses on the analysis of various aspects to determine the degree of environmental impact you have a product. And it is that, many of the European connoisseurs on this subject affirm that to determine the score of each food it is necessary to be based on the combination of country of origin data. In this way, the impact of the means of transport of some ingredients. That is, the calculation to determine the position of each product on the Eco Score scale depends on all its components.
Another point that is taken in order to establish an order is the degree of recyclability, packaging size and use of recycled materials. The higher the indexes in these aspects, the better consideration it will have on the scale. In addition, the impact that each product has on the endangered species. In summary, this food referencing method has very positive aspects if the managers work conscientiously. Since they are difficult to prove points.
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Expansion across Europe
Although they seem the same, Eco Score and Nutriscore are very different. Therefore, they reach supermarkets independently. Although the common system that the European Union wants to implement and that will arrive in Spain in the first four months of this year is Nutrisocre, the labeled Eco Score is gaining a lot of popularity in some countries of our continent, such as most rewarding option. The pioneer country in implementing this system in its products is Belgium and experts assure that it will soon reach the rest of the nations. In addition, the German chain Lidl has decided to bet on this labeling in various ranges of products that will be sold in its supermarkets in Berlin. In this way, they will gain transparency facing their customers so that they buy in a more aware. And, depending on the acceptance of this system, will expand to the rest of the country, and later on a continental level.
The Belgian distributor Colruyt has been the one to adopt Eco Score in the first place. What they want to achieve is evaluation of your entire product range private label food. And, this large international supermarket chain has implemented it in more than 2.500 references of your brand Boni Selection. In addition, as a curious fact, its reading is done through its application Smart With Food.
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The next step
This company pursues a very strong commitment to respect the environment. What they are looking for is to help customers consume more conscious and sustainable. And it is that, Colruyt has expressed his intention to extend the service to products of both national and international brands before next summer. And, in the words of the same project director in a statement, “the identification of the ecological footprint on the packaging of all private label food products is just around the corner ”.
Something we all know is that the methods of cultivation and breeding that are currently used are not the most environmentally friendly. Therefore, the implementation of this Eco Score labeling system and other identification methods can help us raise awareness of buying products that are more committed to our environment. ¿Do you think they are an option that you can trust? Without a doubt, with a good individualized investigation of each product it can become a fantastic idea.
