Food Rating Systems
Demystified
Move beyond single-dimensional calorie counting. We break down the world's top four rating systems, using data to reveal the true nature of the food you eat.
Comparison Lab
Select a sample to observe scoring differences across systems
Whole grain, high fiber, perfectly aligned with multi-dimensional nutrition standards.
Physically rolled, no chemical additives, retaining natural state.
Zero free sugars/sodium, maximum points for dietary fiber.
Top tier in the cereal category, achieving a full 5-star rating.
From Academic Research to Consumer Guide
Food Compass breaks the tradition of "only counting calories." It introduces forward-thinking dimensions like phytochemicals, additives, and processing levels to comprehensively evaluate the positive and negative health impacts of food.
Algorithm Evolution 2.0
Increased penalty weight for ultra-processed foods (UPF) while boosting rewards for healthy fats like Omega-3. The newly added simplified algorithm allows everyday consumers to calculate scores using just the nutrition facts panel.
RADAR_ANALYSIS
SCORING_DOMAINS
The Industrialization Scale
The NOVA system doesn't care about calories; it only cares about what the food "went through" in the factory.
Unprocessed Foods
Unprocessed or minimally processed. Straight from nature, preserved solely through physical methods like drying, roasting, or freezing.
Culinary Ingredients
Extracted from natural foods, utilized for cooking and seasoning. These are generally not consumed by themselves.
Processed Foods
Combination of Group 1 and 2 ingredients. They have simple ingredient lists and are usually made to extend the product's shelf life.
Ultra-Processed (UPF)
Features highly industrial ingredients (colors/flavors/emulsifiers). Designed to be hyper-palatable to easily replace natural, unprocessed foods.
Supermarket Guide
Nutri-Score and Health Star Rating (HSR) are designed to help you make rapid decisions, but their underlying logic differs completely.
Nutri-Score
A unified algorithm with no category distinctions. It evaluates all foods equally, having recently tightened scoring criteria for sugary drinks and red meat.
- Positive Points: Protein, Fiber, Fruits & Veg
- Negative Points: Sugar, Saturated Fat, Salt
Health Star Rating
A category-based algorithm. Milk and potato chips are judged separately against their own kind, which can create a "best of the worst" effect in unhealthy categories.
Core References & Official Documentation
A curated collection of foundational academic papers, government decrees, and official guidance documents for the world's leading food rating systems.
Food Compass
An academic multi-dimensional nutrient profiling system developed by the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University.
Food Compass 2.0 (2024)
Barrett, E.M., et al. Nature Food.
View Original PaperOfficially announced the 2.0 algorithm update, strengthening penalties for ultra-processed foods (UPF).
Food Compass 1.0 (2021)
Mozaffarian, D., et al. Nature Food.
View Original PaperThe system's debut, detailing the underlying algorithm model with 54 evaluation indicators.
NOVA Classification
The world's first system to use "degree of food processing" as the sole evaluation criterion, widely adopted by UN agencies.
Foundational Academic Paper (2016)
Monteiro, C. A., et al. World Nutrition.
View Original PaperThe definitive explanation of the NOVA system, clearly defining the four classification groups.
UN FAO Report (2019)
FAO. "Ultra-processed foods, diet quality, and health..."
View Official ReportMarks the official transition of NOVA from an academic concept to a core guide for global public health policy.
Nutri-Score
Originating in France, adopted by multiple European countries as the official Front-of-Pack Nutrition Label (FOPNL).
Algorithm Update (2024)
Scientific Committee of the Nutri-Score.
View Committee ReportGuided the stricter 2024 regulations (e.g., downgrading sugary drinks and red meat).
Official French Decree (2017)
Arrêté du 31 octobre 2017.
View Government DecreeMarks the French government's official adoption of Nutri-Score.
Health Star Rating
A government-led front-of-pack labeling system developed by Australia and New Zealand.
Guide for Industry
Official HSR Calculator Rules.
View Official GuideThe operational manual specifying calculation formulas for different food categories.
Five Year Review (2019)
Australian Government Department of Health.
View Review ReportReviewed system effectiveness and led to algorithmic refinements.
About This Guide
This document summarizes the most authoritative foundational academic papers, government decrees, and official guidance documents for the four major systems: Food Compass (1.0 & 2.0), NOVA Classification, Nutri-Score, and Health Star Rating (HSR). Our goal is to provide transparency and access to the primary sources that define modern food evaluation.