Food Benefits

ONDI™:
The True Score of Nutrition

The Open Nutrient Density Index is a science-based scoring system that evaluates the nutrient density of food products.

And it’s FREE to all qualified retailers.

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ONDI is built on solid science

ONDI actually identifies nutrient-rich, healthier foods in line with USDA guidelines. Developed by Sifter, it's designed for easy use by retailers in-store and online. 

Sifter's intelligent digital platform powers solutions that help people find the foods that are right for them.

91

Best
75-100
The most nutrients, chockfull of nutrition, little to no sugar or sodium, and rich in whole grains and fiber.

67

Good55-74
Use Moderately. Contributes important nutrients. Will have some sugar and sodium or use refined grains.

34

Limit
45-54
Less nutrients in each calorie the lower the number dips. So not the best food choice. There are much better options.

11

Avoid0-44
Use sparingly. The least nutritious on each calorie and often the most sodium and sugar.
See how it works

ONDI’s core:
The Nutrient-Rich Foods Index (NRFI) 

ONDI activates this science-based scoring system that ranks foods based on nutrient density.

Specifically how rich they are in beneficial nutrients (like vitamins, minerals, and protein) relative to calories and low in nutrients of concern (like added sugars, sodium, and saturated fat).

The ONDI  Scoring System

Simple. Effective. Flexible.

ONDI results are normalized on a 0–100 scale, making it easy to:

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Benchmark nutrient density across categories

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Compare against competitive items

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Integrate into consumer-facing platforms and health claims

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Sifter's intelligent digital platform powers solutions that help people find the foods that are right for them.

Frequently asked questions

General
How does ONDI handle items under 10 calories?

ONDI uses a two-part rule to assess items with fewer than 10 calories:
- Must qualify as FDA “Healthy” = Yes
- Ingredient list must be free of the following exclusions:

  • Artificial flavors
  • Artificial colors
  • Artificial sweeteners
  • Sugar alcohols
  • Artificial preservatives
General
How does the FDA “Healthy” designation affect ONDI scoring?

Products that meet the FDA’s “Healthy” criteria receive a scoring advantage in ONDI. This approach:

  • Favors fresh, single-ingredient foods and lean meats
  • Rewards products with no added sugars but naturally occurring sugars, such as milk and yogurt
General
How are products without a Nutrition Facts Panel (NFP) or under 10 calories handled?

If a product meets all of the following:

  • Lacks a Nutrition Facts Panel (NFP)
  • Contains less than 10 calories
  • Does not qualify as FDA “Healthy”

Then the product is excluded from ONDI scoring.

General
Why is ONDI important for CPGs, retailers, and health-forward brands?

ONDI offers a trusted, science-based tool that helps industry partners:

  • Benchmark clean-label and health-focused product offerings
  • Identify reformulation and innovation opportunities
  • Align with FDA guidelines and consumer demand for healthier products

LET'S GET STARTED

Learn more about using
ONDI in your product strategy