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Nutrition Rating Systems
    A Comparison

Updated: Sept 2009, by Fooducate
name Logo Initiated by When? Label on package or shelf? In use by Pros Cons Comments
Heart Check AHA Heart Check.png American Heart Association 1995 On Package Most major food processors limits fats & cholesterol Does not look at carbs Any company can pay a fee to get their product endorsed
SmartSpot PepsiCo Smart Spot.png PepsiCo 2004 On Package PepsiCo brands: Pepsi, Gatorade, Tropicana, Frito-Lay, Quaker   Questionable Objectivity. Limited to products from one corporation Focuses only on positive information. Bad news is left to the full nutrition panel.
Sensible Solutions KraftSensibleSolutions.png Kraft 2005 On Package Kraft   Questionable Objectivity. Limited to products from one corporation  
Blue Menu BlueMenuLogo.jpg President's Choice brand 2005 On Package President's Choice   Questionable Objectivity. Limited to products from one corporation  
Guiding Stars HannafordGuidingStars.png Hannaford Bros. Supermarket Chain 2006 On Shelf Hannaford Bros. Dead Simple Won't publish scoring criteria. Slim chances of adoption by other chains The first rating system from a supermarket chain.
Nutrition at a Glance KelloggsNutritionataGlance Kellogg's Oct 2007 On Package Kellogg's Important info shown in easy to read format Important but inconvenient info omitted Based on the European GDA system
GDA   Mars Oct 2008 On Package Mars Important info shown in easy to read format Important but inconvenient info omitted  
Smart Choices Smart Choices.png Coca Cola, Con Agra, Kellogg's Oct 2008 On Package Not on labels yet Rating system has been publicized Questionable Objectivity - industry backed Program on Hiatus as of Oct 2009 due to FDA inquiry
NuVal Nuval.png Dr. David Katz Oct 2008 On shelf Meijer, Hy-Vee, Price Chopper The most objective of the lot Won't publish scoring criteria. Slim chances of adoption by major chains Based on Overall Nutritional Quality Index (ONQI) score of 0-100 per product
Healthy Ideas healthyideas Giant Foods, Stop&Shop Jan 2009 On shelf Giant Foods, Stop&Shop   Questionable Objectivity  
nutritionIQ nutritioniq SuperValu Jan 2009 On shelf Albertson's, Jewel-Osco, Cub Foods   Questionable Objectivity  
TAG Nutrition Labeling TAG United Supermarkets Jan 2009 On shelf United Supermarkets   Questionable Objectivity  
Nutritional Spotlight nutritionalspotlight Sara-Lee Jan 2009 On Package Sara-Lee brands   Questionable Objectivity. Limited to products from one corporation  
Healthy Elements   SuperValu June 2009 On shelf     Questionable Objectivity Program intended for use by independent retailers
Nutrition Guide Nutrition Guide Spartan Stores (D&W Fresh Market) Sept 2009 On Shelf D&W Fresh Market