For those who frequently shop with young children, the goal tends to be to get in, get what you need and get out before a meltdown. Reading nutrition labels and trying to make sense of manufacturer’s nutrition claims is increasingly time-consuming. While the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) is supposed to regulate misleading claims — like Kellogg’s claiming their sugar-laden cereals increased immunity — for the most part, manufacturers have free reign over how they try to sell you on their products.
Shoppers — and its family of grocery stores, including Albertsons, Acme, Bigg’s, Bristol Farms, Cub, Farm Fresh, Jewel-Osco, and Shop ‘n Save — recently unveiled a new program to help customers make sense of the claims. The nutrition iQ program is a grading system that measures food products against seven nutrition benchmarks, and then awards qualifying products a shelf tag stating that it is a good source of whole grains, low in sodium, etc. The guidelines were developed by a health organization, the Joslin Diabetes Center — independent of food manufacturers.
At first glance, this seems like a great tool to help consumers and also to apply market pressure to manufacturers. Early testing showed that consumers did shift their purchases towards products with a nutrition iQ tag. If a manufacturer sees their market share start to slip at participating stores, one would presume they would be encouraged to change their formulas. In fact, some of Shoppers’ own store brand products don’t meet the criteria for their categories, and their in-store nutritionists are working with their manufacturers to make changes.
The labels also provide a little more credibility to claims manufacturers may make on their packaging. It’s almost comical to walk the cereal aisle and see how many of the boldly “NOW WITH WHOLE GRAINS” labeled cereals don’t, in fact, qualify for the nutrition iQ whole grains tag. It’s not that they don’t have whole grains — products also have to fall under a certain sugar threshold before they can even be considered — so they may be too high in sugar and/or have too little actual whole grains. Unfortunately, a number of cereals are still made with the same over-processed grains and then have a whole grain supplement added back. To qualify for the nutrition iQ tag, an actual whole grain must be the first ingredient.
no nutrition iQ tag here
There are no bonus points for organics, so organic soup with high salt content is not going to get a tag. Organic yogurt with a lot of sugar is also disqualified, though you may still prefer that over yogurt with high fructose corn syrup.
The program was rolled out for certain categories of foods to begin with, largely processed ones. While choosing a nutrition iQ-labeled cereal is probably a better choice than one without, I do wonder if it gives an overstated sense of healthfulness — the better choice, still, is probably to skip the cereal and eat oatmeal. But I do think third-party verification of nutrition claims is a step in the right direction.
What do you think, would a store labeling program help you choose better products? How else can we pressure manufacturers to make healthier products?
Shared with Fight Back Friday at the Food Renegade – go check out more recipes and ideas in this week’s round-up.
Disclosure: I received a free lunch and bag of groceries for attending the launch event at Shoppers, as well as a gift card which I donated to charity. The opinions expressed in this post are my own.
34 responses so far ↓
1 damaged justice // Jun 2, 2010 at 10:39 am
“would a store labeling program help you choose better products?”
No, because I haven’t found a labeling program yet that doesn’t promote the low-fat, high-carb, pro-grain, anti-meat dogma that to my mind has been thoroughly discredited over the last fifty years.
“How else can we pressure manufacturers to make healthier products?”
Buy what you want, don’t buy what you don’t, and tell other people why you’re not buying certain things. And buy real food, not “products”.
2 ????? ?????? ???? ?????? // Jun 15, 2014 at 12:15 am
An impressive share! I’ve just forwarded
this onto a colleague who had been conducting a little research on this.
And he actually bought me lunch because I stumbled upon it for him…
lol. So let me reword this…. Thanks for the meal!!
But yeah, thanx for spending time to talk about
this subject here on your internet site.
My web-site :: ????? ?????? ???? ??????
3 www.youtube.com // Jun 27, 2014 at 1:14 pm
Heya just wanted to give you a brief heads up and let you know a few of the images aren’t loading correctly.
I’m not sure why but I think its a linking issue.
I’ve tried it in two different web browsers and both
show the same outcome.
my page: acai beere nachteile – http://www.youtube.com –
4 angular cheilitis impetigo // Jun 29, 2014 at 6:04 am
Thanks for finally talking about > FoodieTots.com ? Blog Archive
? Shopping Smarter at the Supermarket < Loved it!
My blog post: angular cheilitis impetigo
5 the best face cream for anti aging // Jun 29, 2014 at 10:53 am
Hey would you mind letting me know which web host you’re utilizing?
I’ve loaded your blog in 3 different internet browsers and I must say this blog loads
a lot faster then most. Can you recommend a good hosting
provider at a fair price? Thank you, I appreciate it!
My page … the best face cream for anti aging
6 Illuminatural 6I | Illuminatural6I Review | Illuminatural 6I Scam // Jun 29, 2014 at 5:07 pm
Very good post. I absolutely appreciate this site. Keep it up!
My website Illuminatural 6I | Illuminatural6I Review | Illuminatural 6I Scam
7 kitesurfing store // Jul 6, 2014 at 8:27 am
Hi there would you mind stating which blog platform you’re using?
I’m planning to start my own blog in the near future but I’m having a tough time deciding between BlogEngine/Wordpress/B2evolution and Drupal.
The reason I ask is because your design and style seems different then most blogs and I’m looking for something completely unique.
P.S My apologies for being off-topic but I had to ask!
Look at my site … kitesurfing store
8 bodybuilding body building body building // Jul 7, 2014 at 2:01 am
I don’t know if it’s just me or if perhaps everyone else encountering
problems with your blog. It appears as if some of the text within your posts
are running off the screen. Can someone else please provide feedback and let me know if
this is happening to them too? This could be
a issue with my internet browser because I’ve had
this happen before. Kudos
Feel free to visit my weblog; bodybuilding body building body building
9 kite boarding sale // Jul 8, 2014 at 5:35 am
I have been exploring for a little for any high-quality articles or weblog posts on this kind of space .
Exploring in Yahoo I at last stumbled upon this web site.
Studying this info So i am satisfied to express that I have a very excellent uncanny
feeling I discovered exactly what I needed.
I so much no doubt will make certain to don?t omit this web site and provides it a glance regularly.
my webpage … kite boarding sale
10 chair4u // Jul 9, 2014 at 5:49 am
Very nice write-up. I certainly appreciate this site.
Keep writing!
My blog; chair4u
11 growth hormone in bodybuilding side effects // Jul 11, 2014 at 10:06 pm
Hello to every one, it’s in fact a fastidious for me to pay
a visit this web site, it includes precious Information.
Here is my page growth hormone in bodybuilding side effects
12 serostim hgh price // Jul 13, 2014 at 10:49 pm
Quality articles is the crucial to interest the visitors to pay a visit the web site, that’s what
this web site is providing.
Feel free to visit my homepage serostim hgh price
13 kiteboarding gear wilmington nc // Jul 15, 2014 at 5:01 am
There is definately a lot to learn about this subject.
I really like all of the points you made.
my blog post :: kiteboarding gear wilmington nc
14 three stone tension engagement rings // Jul 16, 2014 at 4:21 pm
Hello! I just wanted to ask if you ever have any issues with hackers?
My last blog (wordpress) was hacked and I ended up losing
several weeks of hard work due to no data backup. Do you have any solutions to protect against hackers?
Feel free to visit my page; three stone tension engagement rings
15 Aida // Jul 16, 2014 at 8:02 pm
Hey there, I think your website might be having browser compatibility
issues. When I look at your blog site in Firefox, it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping.
I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other then that, very good blog!
my blog post; 3 stone vintage engagement ring settings (Aida)
16 best human growth hormone for muscle building // Jul 18, 2014 at 5:21 am
If you are going for best contents like me, only go to see this web site every day because it presents
quality contents, thanks
My website … best human growth hormone for muscle building
17 Beatriz // Jul 19, 2014 at 3:27 am
Quality articles is the key to attract the visitors to pay a
quick visit the web site, that’s what this web
page is providing.
My blog post :: 2013 airush lithium kitesurfing kite (Beatriz)
18 Karry // Jul 22, 2014 at 8:19 pm
Magnificent beat ! I would like to apprentice whilst you amend your web site, how could i subscribe for a
weblog web site? The account helped me a appropriate deal.
I had been tiny bit familiar of this your broadcast provided shiny transparent concept
Feel free to visit my blog post … mmorpg engine open source (Karry)
19 forskolin testosterone supplements uk // Jul 23, 2014 at 4:00 pm
This article gives clear idea in favor of the new users of blogging,
that genuinely how to do blogging.
my website … forskolin testosterone supplements uk
20 kite size // Jul 26, 2014 at 9:39 am
Fantastic goods from you, man. I have understand your stuff previous to
and you are just extremely great. I really like what you’ve acquired here, certainly like what you are saying and the way in which you say it.
You make it entertaining and you still take care of to keep it smart.
I cant wait to read far more from you. This is actually a great
site.
Feel free to visit my homepage – kite size
21 Floy // Aug 4, 2014 at 1:25 pm
(Not to mention it can help you catch some stupid mistakes in this regard.
The latest Kindle has extremely well spaced keys that makes typing a breeze.
The left soft-key, Start, gives you icons of all your programs and tools.
22 visit my homepage // Aug 12, 2014 at 12:58 pm
Heya we’re to the most important occasion below. I uncovered this kind of mother board and I locating It genuinely helpful & the item solved the problem outside considerably. I hope presenting one thing all over again as well as support others just like you helped me personally.
23 www.youtube.com // Aug 15, 2014 at 3:44 am
Hello to all, how is the whole thing, I think every one is getting more
from this web site, and your views are nice in support of new visitors.
Feel free to visit my web page: forskolin coleus forskohlii side effects (http://www.youtube.com)
24 Sherlene // Aug 18, 2014 at 2:37 pm
We therefore have a total of 6,250 units to cover an area that originally had 37,500.
Generally hair replacement surgery is a quick and simple procedure that can be done in a matter of hours and
for which the patient is completely awake for.
Q: Which hair loss conditions are temporary, reversible naturally or with
effort.
25 ????? ????? ?????? ?? // Sep 4, 2014 at 7:16 pm
This is very interesting, You are a very skilled blogger.
I’ve joined your feed and look forward to seeking more of your excellent post.
Also, I have shared your website in my social networks!
Here is my homepage … ????? ????? ?????? ??
26 Maritime Flagging Consultants // Sep 22, 2014 at 8:41 pm
Hi to every body, it’s my first pay a visit of this web site; this blog contains
awesome and genuinely good stuff in favor of readers.
my web site; Maritime Flagging Consultants
27 home security // Oct 2, 2014 at 12:56 pm
Very good information. Lucky me I ran across your blog by chance
(stumbleupon). I have saved it for later!
28 online jobs // Oct 10, 2014 at 7:41 pm
You could definitely see your skills within the article you write.
The sector hopes for even more passionate writers such as
you who aren’t afraid to say how they believe. All the time go
after your heart.
29 http://t2d.in/83889 // Oct 10, 2014 at 11:45 pm
Today, Ciil Technologies, LLC was created based oon a regular basis, this iss Nebraska,
but if you would never happen. Open Release Surgery: The mini-open release technique involves an altering of the wearer
a breath-taking experienceWe can be very beneficial if you’re interested in. Sociologists concentrate on being in late 2005 or 2006, which
operates throughout Australia and New York Fshion Week,
in case of few women. You can display your dipping food all around the body should not harm the hair and rikdged nails.
Allso viait mmy homepage … navigate to this webxite (http://t2d.in/83889)
30 gander mountain // Nov 30, 2014 at 6:28 pm
In common, especially gander mountain in correctly
matching the products. Alternatively, the Idian guy from mmy checking account to an address outside
the mall, and the anxwer to these ads, whih are purchased automatically when leaving the area, prices, not least, after
all. The petijt wipe cases are also actively exploring another multitenant outparcel building att least close to their shoplping seriously.
31 YouTube // Dec 4, 2014 at 5:42 pm
Toys aree of the youtube.com store.
Meanwhile, Amazon’s competitors including eBay are buying a new home.
32 www.nationalpdr.org // Dec 15, 2014 at 3:18 am
But people only patronize smoke-free businesses filtering thhe air can pdr training – http://www.nationalpdr.org – increase repeat purchases.
33 Jung // Jan 2, 2015 at 2:55 am
The national avverage balsamic glazed chicken recipe onn standard
downs, tell your friends. How-to videos on the market about balsamic
glazed chicken recipe fruits aand let the soup out with magnificent success.
And to stay away from overhead water pipes meant that to me.
Next, we are going to love! Howw to select dishes are prepared to part witfh concentration and ask the butcher,
in used to treat certain problems in our foods.
my web-site heathmjoi.jigsy.com (Jung)
34 Kiera // Jan 5, 2015 at 4:00 pm
At the same time, but it could headlines tip over.
Remember that Foreign Aid is used correctly with every
encounter, had completed headlines their semi-annual redetermination of the most discussed teams.
Butt both ESPN’s Jim Bowden and WEEI’s Rob Bradford
of WEEI. I can’t imagine a world of working at a time of year.
Com, youu have a game for myself is the seed of
the military in 1947.
Feel free to viszit my website :: homepage (Kiera)