King Soopers Adds NuVal Labels

SN STAFF

DENVER — The King Soopers division of Kroger Co. is rolling out the NuVal nutritional shelf-labeling system to all its stores, NuVal said this week.

It is the first division of Cincinnati-based Kroger to fully implement the system, a NuVal spokesman told SN. Last year, Kroger launched a pilot test of NuVal labeling in "about two dozen" Kroger stores in the Lexington, Ky., area, the spokesman said. That test is ongoing.

NuVal, a joint venture of Topco Associates and Griffin Hospital, Derby, Conn., ranks products from 1 to 100 based on a proprietary algorithm. About 1,500 stores have rolled out the program, and NuVal said more supermarkets are planning to launch the system later this year.

"NuVal tags, along with the support of our nutritionists, pharmacists and the screenings that will be available in store, will benefit our customers and associates who are looking to make healthier choices," said Russ Dispense, president of King Soopers, in a statement.

King Soopers, based in Denver, operates 141 stores.