Loblaw expands Guiding Stars program to Western Canadians

CALGARY — Real Canadian Superstore locations in Western Canada now offer a faster, easier way to make nutritious food choices when shopping for groceries, as Loblaw Cos. has expanded its Guiding Stars program in British Columbia and Alberta, the company has announced.



Guiding Stars is a nutrition navigation program providing at-a-glance nutritional ratings for foods found throughout the store. The program is designed to complement existing on-the-package nutritional tables and labels, and National Nutrition Guidelines. The program scores food on a three-star scale based on nutrient density using an objective scientific algorithm grounded in current dietary guidelines and the recommendations of national regulatory and health organizations.



The Guiding Stars program scores products on a credit and debit system where foods acquire stars for containing more vitamins, minerals, dietary fiber, whole grains and omega-3 fats, and are debited for containing saturated fat, trans fat, added sodium, or added sugars. Products can earn up to three stars, with ratings displayed clearly on store shelves. Foods with fewer than five calories per serving are not rated. If a food has been rated and does not meet ranking criteria it will display no stars.



In 2012, Loblaw became the first Canadian grocery retailer to launch Guiding Stars, rolling out the program at Loblaw stores in Ontario.