Last year New England-based Hannaford introduced a new way of rating foods nutritional value in their stores. This simple Guiding Stars program rates foods on a three-point scale, with the healthier items getting more stars. The stars are shown right next to the prices on the shelf stickers, making comparing foods easy enough for a toddler. The program received a fair amount of press coverage when it was launched, but many of the stories focused on the backlash generated among food manufacturers whose products received low ratings rather than the benefits of the program itself.
Fortunately, Hannaford didn’t cave in to pressure and the program is still going. The program is the focus of “Three-Star Snacks in Aisle Five,” in the November 12, 2007 issue of Newsweek. The article provides a good introduction to the program and, proving once again that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, details a similar program being rolled out soon by another grocery chain.
So what are your experiences with the program? Do you find it useful?