Hannaford would look for ways to market “guiding stars” big time… Actually, they are creating a spin-off company to do it all. Read all about it.
I still maintain, as I said in earlier posts, that these programs are more about making money and selling more groceries than about helping consumers put healthier foods in their shopping basket. Not that there’s anything wrong with making money. But don’t pretend that giving foods “health ratings” will make a dent in real long term behavior change.
Let me clarify… I like the idea of a simple way to help consumers pick out a healthier cereal, say one with low sugar and high fiber. But the system is not without flaws. For example, whole milk gets one star but fortified juice with added sugar gets two stars. Whole milk gets the bad rap because of the saturated fat. But it is recommended that kids get whole milk until the age of two for its fat content. They have a high calorie need for their weight. Sure, parents can choose 2% milk and find other ways to meet their children’s needs. But if the perception becomes whole milk is bad and juice is good I think that is problematic.
The other issue I have with this system is that it does nothing to tackle the real behavioral issues of moderation and portion control. If you like chips you should have them but don’t eat the whole bag. Why go for something you like less that you won’t savor as much because it is “better” for you? If you eat a handful of chips along with a sandwich on whole grain bread, with veggies like lettuce and tomato, some dijon mustard and a little tuna, egg, or lean meat for protein that’s healthy. That’s balanced. It’s OK! I know, it’s shocking! But these stars would have you think that chips are less healthy. Yes, if you eat a bag of chips alone it is not a healthful decision. Do we need stars telling us that?
There is a pro side to this system. When the products were reviewed and rated by the expert panel, 77% of them received no stars. That’s telling. Very telling. Essentially, what they are saying is most of what is available in a grocery store is not nutritious.
I think the long term impact of something like this is the possibility that manufacturers will start to feel “the pinch” from decreased sales if their product is not rated and they will try to reformulate it so that it is rated. Sounds good, right? Not necessarily… when manufacturers “reformulate” you get the low-fat craze 2.0. You get fillers, substitutes and whatever else imaginable so that it makes the grade. Usually, the quality of the food is decreased. Anyone ever have fat free cheese or sour cream? Blech. Food is better if it is not messed around with.
Read another blog post about Hannaford stars or listen to this NPR story.
Filed under: food, food industry, nutrition | Tagged: hannaford stars
