Nutrient and Environment Profiling Model

We are developing a Nutrient and Environment Profiling Model (NEPM) for food-related policy makers in the UK. An NEPM is an algorithm for classifying, scoring, or ranking foods according to their characteristics for reasons related to promoting health and reducing the environmental impact of the food system. The NEPM could be used to support policies such as food labelling, food marketing restrictions, food taxation and the like. 

The NEPM will be co-designed by the THRIVING project team and an Expert Working Group (EWG) consisting of policymakers from the UK and devolved governments, and other stakeholders in food policy. 

We will develop and test prototype NEPM algorithms using a large dataset of foods that are available for purchase in the UK. The EWG and Project Team will review the results of each of the algorithms, which will be adapted iteratively until a final model that meets the needs of the EWG emerges. 

The first meeting of the EWG is in June 2025. It is expected that this process will take 18 months to complete. Minutes of the EWG meetings will be posted below.