Transparent labelling and interpretative information
We want to support consumers as much as possible in choosing healthier foods. That is why we value clear, informative and completely transparent nutritional labelling.
Mandatory labelling of pre-packaged foods provides information about the nutritional value of products. We are working to make this information easier to understand by assigning each product a rating or score that interprets the nutritional value of the food. We rely on assessment systems that have been approved by the authorities and scientifically validated, such as the Health Star Rating (HSR).
This type of assessment system helps consumers make better purchasing decisions, as it provides a more user-friendly and quicker-to-understand explanation than nutritional information alone.
Danone commits to indicate the following information on the packaging: The nutritional intake amounts recommended for most people for a healthy diet on a daily basis. The portion size and, in the case of multi-portion packs, the number of portions or portion sizes contained in the pack. Detailed nutritional information on the back of the packaging, including energy, fat (of which saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids), carbohydrates (of which sugars, polyols and starch), fibre, protein and salt; in 3 different formats (per 100 g/100 ml; per portion; per % of reference amounts per portion). The energy value as a percentage of the recommended daily intake and/or daily values on the front of the product packaging.
Responsible marketing communications
We are committed to responsible advertising in accordance with the International Chamber of Commerce's Code of Responsible Marketing Communications for Food and Beverages and in consideration of national and regional standards. Our approach covers all paid and unpaid communication tools we develop, in particular materials used to advertise our brands or products to consumers and patients.
We are committed to ensuring that our marketing communications are legal, sincere, honest and truthful at all times. Our nutritional information is also based on sound scientific evidence. What does this mean?
- We provide nutritional information that enables consumers to make informed dietary choices.
- We place particular emphasis on practical and user-friendly information to help consumers and patients feed themselves and their families healthily.
- We ensure that our information about product benefits is reliable and understandable.
In collaboration with our industry associations, such as the World Federation of Advertisers and the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), we support the development of general principles in this area and their integration into advertising and marketing self-regulation codes and systems around the world.
Since 2021, the EU's common nutrition criteria – with a lower threshold for total sugar content in milk products – have applied globally to all marketing aimed at children, replacing any voluntary local standards that are less stringent.
We promote hydration in children through direct marketing communications for natural water brands and do not target marketing communications for sugary drinks at children under the age of 13.
Our marketing principles for children include, among other things:
- No misleading messages
- No undermining of parental influence
- No creation of time or price minimisation pressure
- No exploitation of a child's imagination or inexperience
- No promotion of unhealthy eating habits
Specifically, Danone applies the rules set out in our Marketing to Children Policy.
* Refers to paid and unpaid communications developed by Danone with the intention of promoting its products to children under the age of 13, including all print media (newspapers, magazines and printed advertising in public places), all broadcast media (traditional television, radio), all non-broadcast electronic and/or digital media (own and third-party websites, social media, mobile and SMS marketing, native online marketing, games and apps, CDs/DVDs), and all in-store or point-of-sale marketing, including packaging. Sponsorship (e.g. of sporting, entertainment or cultural events or activities). All other forms of marketing (cinema, outdoor advertising, product placement in films, television programmes, etc.). Danone's marketing communications are considered to be aimed at children under the age of 13 if they make up at least 30% of the target audience.
