New Grocery System Helps Us Make Healthier Food Choices
December 6, 2007
Photo by Poldavo
Do you read nutrition labels on food products before you buy?
We should all be regular readers of labels when it comes to the food we buy. But despite our efforts, it can be a difficult task. Labels are deceiving. Sometimes the label can indicate a product is a healthy choice but, truthfully, it is quite the opposite. But in 2008, a new system is going into effect which will score the nutritional value of foods on our grocery shelves and, therefore, assist us in our food choices.
The scoring system, Overall Nutritional Quality Index (ONQI), will assign a score from 1 to 100 for all foods. It will take into account positive factors … such as fiber, nutrients, omega 3 fatty acids, and proteins … as well as negative factors … such as amounts of saturated fat, sugar, and cholesterol in foods.
Topco Associates, LLC, will be introducing the new scoring system in the second half of 2008. Topco is a grocery distribution and services cooperative owned by independent grocers including IGA, Wegmans, Hy-Vee, and Food City. Initially, the system will be featured on Topco’s private label brands, but could later be made available to other manufacturers.
Will this system really work?
This scoring system will only work if we use it. Many consumers don’t read labels and so they probably won’t even notice the new system in place. But when used by consumers, this scoring system will help us compare different types of the same foods. It will tell us which fruits or veggies are more or less healthy.
One downside is that manufacturers will not be obligated to use the new scoring system. But even if a manufacturer chooses not to use the system on labels, the grocer may choose to put the scores on shelves next to the food products. We can only pray they do. ONCI won’t solve all our label woes, but it will make it much easier for us to evaluate all food products.
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