3 Tips To Understand Nutrition Labeling In a World Of Mixed Messages

If you have been in a supermarket lately, youhave seen dazed shoppers confused by the various array of nutritionshelf labeling programs at many grocery stores as well asmanufacturer-related claims and seals.  It is literally like a tower ofBabel to consumers who trying to be health conscious. To simplify supermarket shopping for time-pressed, health-consciousshoppers, we believe the time may be right for standardized labelingprograms, colors, and manufacturer created seals.  We believe that thegoal is to encourage more grocery shoppers to choose health-promotingproducts uniquely suited for their health care needs, whether it islower calorie, lower fat, lower sodium, or increasing their consumptionof a particular nutrient, such as protein or calcium. Backin the 1990’s shelf labeling programs rapidly grew into popularity. Nutrition labeling programs and seals that were in addition to the FDAnutrition facts panel began to appear begining around 1995 with theAmerican Heart Association food certification program. This nutritionprogram allowed a Heart Check Symbol to appear on foods low insaturated fat and cholesterol.  Not to be outdone, ten years later in2005 Kraft launched Sensible Solutions.  It was not until 2006 when asupermarket joined the quest to help consumers shop for healthierproducts.  Hannaford Brothers Supermarket Chain used its “GuidingStars” Program to rank foods with 0 to 3 stars, with 3-stars being thehighest rating.  Similar programs are now being used at supermarkets,such as Giant Foods and Stop & Shop. Today,the supermarket most manufacturers, such as Mars, Kellogg’s, Sara Lee,General Mills, Con-Agra, Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, and Unilever, haveprograms or seals that are intended to help confused shoppers makehealthier choices.  Unfortunately the latest American DieteticAssociation’s Nutrition and You: Trends 2008 Survey showed that 35percent of consumers say that food labels have credible informationsources. In fact, according to study published in a scientific journal,shoppers are more likely to trust nutrition symbols approved by thirdparties such as health organizations, like the American HeartAssociation. 3 Simple Supermarket Tips for Healthy Shopping Wehave three techniques for consumers to shop for healthier foods sinceone of the cornerstones of any healthy eating program to change whatyou buy and eat at home. Shop aroundthe perimeter of the grocery store and pick up fresh foods like fruits,vegetables, dairy, meat, and fish. When possible select organicproduce.(The inside aisles are usually filled with more processedfoods). Limit packaged or processedfoods that contain more than five ingredients, artificial ingredients,or are more “fun food” than nutrient-filled foods. Choose"real" foods, such as 100% whole-grain breads, cereals, and pasta withlittle processing and as few additives as possible.  Ifyou want to grow and expand your company's nutrition-related brands,improve your company’s credibility, and strengthen its reputation,while also reducing exposure to the inadvertent release of inaccurateinformation, consider working with qualified nutrition communications experts . Ourresearch shows that consumers have little brand loyalty, rely onreputation and word-of-mouth, and authority figures, such as doctors,dietitians, and nurses.  Today, more nutrition and health-relatedcompanies are relying on qualified nutrition experts to help manage their nutrition-related brand.  Think of having known nutrition thought leaders as insurance against the potential that inaccurate information that mayhave negative effects on a consumer's health and subsequently, andequally disastrous, negative repercussion on your company and brand. If you're ready to stimulate your nutrition-related business, don't wait for the economy to improve. Then it will be too late.   Contact the nutrition communications experts today at (949) 269- 3082. NutriTalk™,Inc. believes that the marketplace has evolved to fit the ever-changingneeds of consumers who are time-pressed, budget-conscious,youth-seeking and often heavier than they were last year.  As a result,their nutritional choices have changed as a response to today’sshifting landscape. Whether yourcompany is in the early stages of product development and marketpenetration or want to enhance the image of a trusted brand,NutriTalk™, Inc. is uniquely qualified to provide support, credibility,and reliability.  If you would like to increase your business’ rate ofgrowth in the coming years, we believe that we can help.

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