Lara Abrams Communications

Rank Your Food - Hannaford Style

Now why don’t more supermarkets do this??  If Supermarkets did this, not only would they affect consumer buying habits, creating healthier shoppers, but they would also be instigators of something highly positive: they would be able to force certain food manufacturers to create a levelf of nutritional value that would make people more conscious about what they’re creating - and its end-effect. At least that’s what I’d like to think.  Happy Sunday.
U.S. Supermarket Chain Ranks Food Products on Nutritional Value

U.S. supermarket chain Hannaford Bros Co. (owned by Delhaize America) has labeled nearly all food and beverage products with its “Guiding States” system ranging from zero to three stars based on the product’s nutritional value. According to The New York Times, 27,000 products were analyzed with 77 percent garnering zero stars. Responding to customer surveys that showed customers confused about nutritional information, Hannaford created a seven-person panel of nutritionists and one physician to develop an algorithm that would rate the nutritional value of products. Using a 100-calorie serving of each product, the algorithm uses only information that is published in the “nutrition facts” panel and ingredient list. Products get points for vitamins, minerals, fiber and whole grains, but lose points for trans fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, added salt and added sugar. The ratings appear on the product’s shelf tag.