German retail giant Metro believes its in-house nutritional labelling scheme will help alleviate growing concerns over obesity in the country.
Metro, Germany’s largest food retailer, said it has become the first company to introduce “comprehensive” nutritional labelling on its private-label products.
The move from Metro in Germany comes amid growing debate in Germany and other markets – like the UK – on labelling schemes and their effectiveness in encouraging consumers to adopt a more balanced diet.
The company told just-food that the labelling launch is part of its overall “Gut für Dich” programme, first unveiled earlier this year to give consumers more information on the nutritional content of the products they buy.
“In Germany, obesity and the lack of exercise are a problem that poses a serious risk to the health of a growing number of people,” a Metro spokesperson said. “As the leading trade and retailing company in Germany, Metro is aware of its responsibility for customers and the society. We have long been supporting healthy lifestyles.”

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By GlobalDataMetro said German retailers and the food industry had yet to agree on alternative labelling schemes and added its plan would suit consumers best.
“We think our solution is most useful to customers because it doesn’t impose any dietary plan on them – the customers rather get the information they need to decide themselves upon their own dietary plan.”