The Boston Herald reports that Hannaford Bros. is rolling out a new ratings system for its grocery products that “rates food products’ nutritional content based on a star system.
“The ‘3 Stars to Better Health’ program aims to help consumers make healthier choices without having to read and understand product nutritional labels.” Healthiest foods – products referred to as “super foods” that are loaded with nutrients - will get three stars, while foods with little or no nutritional value will get no stars.
“The stars will be placed on the shelf price stickers below products, according to a Hannaford customer panel, which tested the program with consumers,” the Herald writes.
“The ‘3 Stars to Better Health’ program aims to help consumers make healthier choices without having to read and understand product nutritional labels.” Healthiest foods – products referred to as “super foods” that are loaded with nutrients - will get three stars, while foods with little or no nutritional value will get no stars.
“The stars will be placed on the shelf price stickers below products, according to a Hannaford customer panel, which tested the program with consumers,” the Herald writes.
- KC's View:
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There are two challenges to Hannaford
One is to make sure its evaluation systems are open and completely transparent – which is necessary to convince consumers of the legitimacy of the program.
The other will have to do with manufacturers that express concern about being given one or zero stars.
We have confidence in Hannaford’s ability to do both – and believe that these kinds of programs are exactly the kinds of things that food retailers ought to be doing.
It says – clearly, unambiguously – that Hannaford is the agent for the consumer, not the manufacturer.
