Unilever, General Mills Products Sport New Logo
Beginning this month, the Smart Choices Program check mark logo will appear on approximately 500 products in supermarkets and other retail outlets across the country.
The Smart Choices Program, a voluntary front-of-pack nutrition labelingsystem, was developed by a diverse coalition of scientists,academicians, health & research organizations, food and beveragemanufacturers and retailers to help encourage positive dietary changes.
Many of the nation's top brands, including Unilever, General Mills, ConAgra Foods, Kellogg Company, Kraft Foods, PepsiCo, Sun-Maid and Tyson, have qualified for the Smart Choices Program designation in the programs 19 categories. By May 2010, more than 1,200 products will feature the symbol and calorie indicator.
"The coalition worked very hard to develop nutrition criteria that met the highest of standards and a symbol consumers would appreciate and recognize when making choices at the point of purchase," says Eileen T. Kennedy, DSc, RD, dean of the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University.
Qualifying products will carry the Smart Choices Program "check mark" logo and accompanying calorie information to guide consumers in making smarter food and beverage choices within product categories. All products carrying the symbol must meet thestrict criteria, which are based on the Dietary Guidelinesfor Americans.
"We're excited and proud to be taking a leading role with other industry members in helping to improve public health across the United States," says John LeBoutillier, Unilever's senior vice president, Foods U.S. "This new front-of-pack nutrition labeling system aligns with Unilever's Vitality mission of helping people feel good, look good, and get more out of life and will help consumers quickly identify foods and beverages that fit within their daily calorie needs simply by looking for the 'check' on the front of product packages."
In addition, General Mills supports the Smart Choices Program because it is a single, credible system that will help eliminate consumer confusion, predicts Susan Crockett, RD, vice president of the General Mills Bell Institute of Health and Nutrition. A member of the Smart Choices group that developed the new labeling, Crockett adds, "We believe this will help make it easier for consumers to compare calories and make healthy food choices through front-of-packaging information."
For more information, visit www.smartchoicesprogram.com.
The Smart Choices Program, a voluntary front-of-pack nutrition labelingsystem, was developed by a diverse coalition of scientists,academicians, health & research organizations, food and beveragemanufacturers and retailers to help encourage positive dietary changes.
Many of the nation's top brands, including Unilever, General Mills, ConAgra Foods, Kellogg Company, Kraft Foods, PepsiCo, Sun-Maid and Tyson, have qualified for the Smart Choices Program designation in the programs 19 categories. By May 2010, more than 1,200 products will feature the symbol and calorie indicator.
"The coalition worked very hard to develop nutrition criteria that met the highest of standards and a symbol consumers would appreciate and recognize when making choices at the point of purchase," says Eileen T. Kennedy, DSc, RD, dean of the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University.
Qualifying products will carry the Smart Choices Program "check mark" logo and accompanying calorie information to guide consumers in making smarter food and beverage choices within product categories. All products carrying the symbol must meet thestrict criteria, which are based on the Dietary Guidelinesfor Americans.
"We're excited and proud to be taking a leading role with other industry members in helping to improve public health across the United States," says John LeBoutillier, Unilever's senior vice president, Foods U.S. "This new front-of-pack nutrition labeling system aligns with Unilever's Vitality mission of helping people feel good, look good, and get more out of life and will help consumers quickly identify foods and beverages that fit within their daily calorie needs simply by looking for the 'check' on the front of product packages."
In addition, General Mills supports the Smart Choices Program because it is a single, credible system that will help eliminate consumer confusion, predicts Susan Crockett, RD, vice president of the General Mills Bell Institute of Health and Nutrition. A member of the Smart Choices group that developed the new labeling, Crockett adds, "We believe this will help make it easier for consumers to compare calories and make healthy food choices through front-of-packaging information."
For more information, visit www.smartchoicesprogram.com.