GRAND FORKS, N.D. — The University of North Dakota plans to roll out the Guiding Stars nutrition navigation system. Each prepared meal, salad bar and grab-and-go item served by UND's dining facilities and sold in campus convenience stores will receive a zero- to three-star rating according to its nutritional value.
"We are excited to partner with UND and provide a tool that helps community members make healthier food choices," John Eldredge, director of brand and business development at Guiding Stars Licensing Co., Scarborough, Maine, said in a statement.
Guiding Stars credits all edible foods based on the presence of vitamins, minerals, dietary fiber and whole grains, and debits for the presence of trans fat, saturated fats, cholesterol, added sugars and added sodium. Food items are then awarded zero, one, two or three stars — one star means good nutritional value; two stars, better nutritional value; and three stars, the best nutritional value.
"Our students and faculty are constantly on the go in our busy campus and Guiding Stars will save time by taking the guesswork out of choosing nutritious foods," said Orlynn Rosaasen, UND's director of dining services.
Guiding Stars is currently in more than 1,500 supermarkets including Food Lion, Hannaford, Bloom and Sweetbay. It will also roll out soon at Kings Super Markets. Guiding Stars has also expanded into public schools and colleges, and is available as a shopper mobile iPhone application.
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