Great For You Logo Shows Walmart Kept It’s Promise to Focus on Healthier Choices.
Last year Walmart suggested the company would work to improve the nutritional value in the food it sells. The plan now in action labels the retailers healthy foods with a new Walmart logo that bears the words Great For You on it.
The label is bright green in color and can be found on lots of Walmart’s Great Value and Marketside food items. The new Walmart logo can also be seen on fresh fruit and vegetable displays that exist at some retail locations.
Standards have been set so the company knows which foods should contain this label. These standards were set according to the latest nutrition science and authoritative guidance from the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, U.S. Department of Agriculture and Institute of Medicine.”
Some criteria for food that will receive the new Walmart logo are being 100% whole grain, grain products that are more than 50% whole grain, being less than 15% total calories from saturated fat, and being a low fat or non fat dairy product. Also, added sugars can not be more than 25% of total calories and total fat must be less than 35% of total calories.
They also planned to allow other brands to use their ‘Great For You’ label without adding a licensing fee to these companies. Walmart is the largest grocery chain and consumers who are conscious about their spending habits often shop there. Focusing on healthier choices is a wonderful priority.
As with every change, there are differences of options, and this situation is no different. Michelle Obama, the first lady, is praising Walmart for their work saying “Today’s announcement by Walmart is yet another step toward ensuring that our kids are given the chance to grow up healthy, the healthy seal will be another tool for parents to identify the best products for their kids.”
Further nutrition and health experts believe their standards are acceptable, yet others are suggesting it is a scheme to make people buy their product over some other brand due to the ‘Great For You’ logo.
165 products have been altered to reduce sodium, added sugar and trans fats and sodium found in meatpacking has been reduced over 70% in some meats. The company has also worked hard to cut costs on items such as reduced-fat peanut butter and fat-free salad dressing. Plus, the label will not be added to everything as only about 20% of Walmarts products will contain it.
So, you make the choice. If you see a product on the shelves at your local store that has a new Walmart logo with a stylized person standing with outstretched arms and the words “Great For You” you can give it a try, or pass on by.
Julie MacKenzie has written 208 articles on EpostMedia.
