Complete Nutrition Score Guide
Understanding the 0-10 Nutrition Score system: how it's calculated, what positive and negative factors matter, and real examples across 1.84 million products.
Nutrition Score at a Glance
Scale Range
0 - 10
Higher is better
Average Score
4.8
Across all products
Perfect Scores
19,000
Products scoring 10.0
Key Insight: Only 1% of products achieve perfect nutrition scores (10.0), while 32% score in the bottom tier (0-3). The system rewards protein and fiber while penalizing added sugars and excess sodium.
What is the Nutrition Score?
The Nutrition Score is a science-based 0-10 scale that evaluates food products based on their nutritional quality. Higher scores indicate better nutritional value, considering both beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber) and concerning factors (added sugars, excess sodium).
✅ Positive Factors
❌ Negative Factors
How Products Score Across the Scale
Distribution of nutrition scores across 1.84 million products shows most foods cluster in the middle range, with few achieving perfect scores:
Pure ingredients, minimal processing
High protein/fiber, minimal negatives
Solid nutritional foundation
Mixed nutritional profile
High sugar/sodium, minimal benefits
Real Product Examples by Score Level
🏆 Perfect Scores (10.0)
Products with perfect nutrition scores are typically single ingredients with high nutritional value:
⭐ Excellent Scores (8-9)
Foods with strong nutritional foundations, typically high in protein or fiber:
Complete proteins, high fiber content
High protein, fermented dairy benefits
😐 Average Scores (4-6)
Mixed nutritional profiles with both positive and negative factors:
Good fiber, but often high sodium/sugar
Protein benefits offset by added sugars
⚠️ Poor Scores (0-3)
Products dominated by negative nutritional factors:
Very high sugar, trans fats
Primarily sugar with artificial additives
Nutrition Flags Explained
Products receive warning flags when they exceed healthy thresholds for key nutrients. These flags help identify potential health concerns:
🧂 High Sodium
426,589 products flagged (23% of database)
Above recommended daily intake thresholds. Linked to hypertension and cardiovascular issues.
🍬 High Sugar
204,180 products flagged (11% of database)
Exceeds WHO recommended added sugar limits. Associated with obesity and metabolic issues.
🧈 High Saturated Fat
531,352 products flagged (29% of database)
Above heart-healthy guidelines. Can elevate LDL cholesterol levels.
🥚 High Cholesterol
Dietary cholesterol content exceeds daily recommendations
Less concerning than previously thought, but still tracked for completeness.
Average Nutrition Scores by Category
Different food categories show distinct nutritional patterns. Whole foods and minimally processed items typically score highest:
4,789 products
7,253 products
29,451 products
8,201 products
33,821 products
48,017 products
Category insights: Single-ingredient and minimally processed foods (grains, vegetables) score highest, while multi-ingredient processed foods (cereals, breads) show more variation due to added sugars and sodium.
Tips for Finding Better Nutrition Scores
🎯 Look For:
Lean meats, legumes, dairy products
Whole grains, fruits, vegetables
Pure foods without additives
Yogurt, kefir, aged cheeses
⚠️ Avoid:
Check ingredients for syrups, sugars
>400mg per serving is concerning
Partially hydrogenated oils
>10% of daily value per serving
Key Takeaways
- ✓Higher is better: Nutrition Scores range 0-10, with 10 being perfect. Only 1% of products achieve perfect scores.
- ✓Protein and fiber boost scores: These beneficial nutrients can add up to +5 points to a product's final score.
- ✓Added sugars are the biggest penalty: They can reduce scores by -3 points, more than any other negative factor.
- ✓Average score is 4.8: Most products fall in the 4-6 range, indicating mixed nutritional profiles across the food supply.
- ✓Category matters: Grains and vegetables average 8-9, while processed foods like cereals and breads average 6-7.
Explore Products by Nutrition Score
Disclaimer: All tools and data visualizations are provided for educational and informational purposes only. They are not intended as health, medical, or dietary advice. Always consult healthcare professionals for personalized dietary guidance.