Food Lion Gets Three Gold Stars with Nutrition System

Guiding Stars Nutrition Navigation System now Available in all Food Lion
Stores

SALISBURY, N.C., July 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Food Lion LLC announced that the
Guiding Stars Nutrition Navigation System has officially launched in all of
its Food Lion stores. Developed by an independent scientific advisory panel of
experts, Guiding Stars is the first system of its kind in the United States
and follows a specific algorithm for labeling food items based on their
nutritional content. The number of stars - one, two or three - on the
product's shelf tag represents the nutritional value of the food item, with
three stars being the best choice.
"Based on initial research, our company has experienced a positive
response from customers who desire assistance with nutritious shopping for
themselves and their families," said Ken Mills, Food Lion's vice president of
sales and marketing. "With this innovative system, Food Lion stores are
providing shoppers with an easy-to-use approach to make the best dietary
choices."
New England-based Hannaford Bros., Food Lion LLC's sister company under
Brussels-based Delhaize Group (NYSE: DEG), inaugurated Guiding Stars in 2006.
Food Lion LLC's Bloom Supermarkets banner launched the nutrition navigation
system throughout its 61 stores last month.
More than 28,000 food items in each of Food Lion's 1,200 plus stores were
analyzed as part of the Guiding Stars rollout. Foods with one star have good
nutritional value, while two stars represent better nutritional value and
three stars signify the best nutritional value. If the shelf tag has no stars,
it simply means one of two things: either the food doesn't meet the criteria
for a star or the food is not rated. For example, bottled waters and other
items with less than five calories per manufacturer's serving are not rated.
Foods with stars generally have more vitamins, minerals, fiber and whole
grains, but less trans and saturated fats, cholesterol, added sodium and added
sugars. However, the Guiding Stars formula also recognizes natural differences
in foods and adjusts the formula for calculating stars accordingly.
The third-party panel's ratings for the Guiding Stars system were drawn
from labeling standards and nutrient levels set by the leading national health
organizations (Food and Drug Administration, Department of Agriculture,
Department of Health and Human Services, National Academies of Science, World
Health Organization) that have determined those most beneficial for a healthy
lifestyle. Guiding Stars supports the updated Dietary Guidelines for Americans
that the government recently released.
The Guiding Stars system only uses information readily available to
consumers on the Nutrition Facts labels and the ingredient lists, which are
right on the food package. If the food is not packaged, like fruits,
vegetables and meats, the data comes from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
"The Guiding Stars system was created to give busy shoppers a simple,
shelf-level tool to compare foods with more nutrition value in each department
of our stores," said Mills. "Our system complements the Nutrition Facts label
as a convenient starting point to buying the most nutritious choices available
at Food Lion."
Food Lion LLC is a subsidiary of Brussels-based Delhaize Group (NYSE:
DEG). Food Lion LLC operates more than 1,300 supermarkets, either directly or
through affiliated entities, under the names of Food Lion, Bloom, Bottom
Dollar Food, Harveys and Reid's. These stores meet local customer needs and
preferences for the freshest and best quality products. Food Lion LLC employs
approximately 73,000 associates in 11 Southeast and Mid-Atlantic states.
SOURCE Food Lion LLC

Karen Peterson of Food Lion, LLC, +1-704-633-8250, ext. 3919,
kspeterson@foodlion.com