The science behind the score

FoodCompass 2.0: a score that earns its number.

Most food scores collapse everything into one axis. FoodCompass 2.0, developed at Tufts University, evaluates foods across nine independent domains so no single reformulation trick can hide weak fundamentals.

01 /FoodCompass 2.0

Multi-domain scoring instead of one-dimensional nutrition math.

The score runs from 1 to 100. Higher is better. More importantly, the domain breakdown exposes what drives the final number - so interpretation stays transparent and actionable.

Score range

1→100

Higher is better

Nutrient ratios

The balance between nutrients worth seeking more of - fibre, potassium, magnesium - versus those worth moderating, like sodium and added sugar.

Food-based ingredients

Whole, recognisable ingredients count in your favour over refined fractions and ingredient isolates.

Processing level

NOVA feeds directly here. How a food is made affects health outcomes independently of what is in it, so it earns its own domain.

Specific fatty acids

Not total fat - the type. The balance of omega-3s, omega-6s, saturated fats, and whether industrial trans fats are present.

Vitamins & minerals

Micronutrient density per calorie. Naturally-occurring micronutrients are weighted more favourably than added fortification.

Protein quality

Not just quantity - the completeness of the amino acid profile and the quality of the source it comes from.

Fibre & wholegrains

Fibre in its intact, unrefined form. Added fibre in an otherwise processed product is scored quite differently here.

Phytochemicals

Polyphenols, carotenoids, flavonoids - bioactive plant compounds invisible on standard nutrition labels, but significant.

Additives

Emulsifiers, preservatives, artificial colours, sweeteners. Ingredients with credible health concerns are penalised directly.

↓

Cardiovascular disease risk

Validated across large population datasets

↓

Type 2 diabetes incidence

Prospective cohort studies

↓

All-cause mortality

After controlling for overall dietary quality

Why this is the score we chose

We reviewed many scoring systems. Most were either too simplistic (nutrient-only) or too opaque (proprietary formulas you cannot interrogate). FoodCompass 2.0 is published, peer-reviewed, and transparent. Because it is multi-dimensional, sub-scores are as useful as the overall number. A food can be high-protein yet still score poorly if it is ultra-processed, additive-heavy, and low in fibre. That is the point. Nutrons shows both the total score and domain profile so you can see what drives the number, not just what it is.