FSA in Northern Ireland
Last updated on 5 August 2012
Guide to using the nutrient profiling model
A nutrient profiling model has been developed by the Agency as a tool for categorising foods on the basis of their nutrient content.
This model is what is known as a 'simple scoring' system, where points are allocated on the basis of the nutritional content in 100g of a food or drink.
There are three steps to working out the overall score for the food or drink.
1. Work out total 'A' points
A maximum of ten points can be awarded for each nutrient.
Total 'A' points = (points for energy) + (points for saturated fat) + (points for sugars) + (points for sodium)
The following table indicates the points scored, depending on the content of each nutrient in 100g of the food:
| Points | Energy (kJ) | Sat Fat (g) | Total Sugar (g) | Sodium (mg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | ≤ 335 | ≤ 1 | ≤ 4.5 | ≤ 90 |
| 1 | >335 | >1 | >4.5 | >90 |
| 2 | >670 | >2 | >9 | >180 |
| 3 | >1005 | >3 | >13.5 | >270 |
| 4 | >1340 | >4 | >18 | >360 |
| 5 | >1675 | >5 | >22.5 | >450 |
| 6 | >2010 | >6 | >27 | >540 |
| 7 | >2345 | >7 | >31 | >630 |
| 8 | >2680 | >8 | >36 | >720 |
| 9 | >3015 | >9 | >40 | >810 |
| 10 | >3350 | >10 | >45 | >900 |
If a food or drink scores 11 or more 'A' points then it cannot score points for protein unless it also scores 5 points for fruit, veg and nuts.
2. Work out total 'C' points
A maximum of five points can be awarded for each nutrient/food component.
Total 'C' points = (points for fruit, veg & nut content) + (points for fibre [either NSP or AOAC]) + (points for protein)
The following table indicates the points scored, depending on the content of each nutrient/food component in 100g of the food:
| Points | Fruit, Veg & Nuts (%) | NSP Fibre ' (g) | Or AOAC Fibre ' (g) | Protein (g) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | ≤ 40 | ≤ 0.7 | ≤ 0.9 | ≤ 1.6 |
| 1 | >40 | >0.7 | >0.9 | >1.6 |
| 2 | >60 | >1.4 | >1.9 | >3.2 |
| 3 | - | >2.1 | >2.8 | >4.8 |
| 4 | - | >2.8 | >3.7 | >6.4 |
| 5* | >80 | >3.5 | >4.7 | >8.0 |
*If a food or drink scores 5 points for fruit, veg & nuts the 'A' nutrient cut-off no longer applies.
3. Work out overall score
If a food scores less than 11 'A' points then the overall score is calculated as follows:
Overall score = (total 'A' points) minus (total 'C' points)
If a food scores 11 or more 'A' points but scores 5 points for fruit, vegetables and nuts then the overall score is calculated as follows:
Overall score = (total 'A' points) minus (total 'C' points)
If a food scores 11 or more 'A' points but also scores less than 5 points for fruit, veg and nuts then the overall score is calculated as follows:
Overall score = (total 'A' points) minus (fibre points + fruit, veg and nuts points only) [i.e. not allowed to score points for protein]
A food is classified as 'less healthy' where it scores 4 points or more.
A drink is classified as 'less healthy' where it scores 1 point or more.
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