Wal-Mart Reveals Front of Pack Icon

WASHINGTON — Wal-Mart Stores will apply a “Great For You” icon to fresh fruits and vegetables and select Walmart Great Value and Marketside items beginning this spring.

The labeling system was designed to encourage consumption of fruits, vegetables, fiber-rich whole grains, low-fat dairy, nuts, seeds and lean meats, while limiting total, trans and saturated fats, sodium and added sugars found in such items as sweetened oatmeal, granola bars and frozen meals.

A 100% whole grain, single-ingredient product like barley or popcorn qualifies for the seal as do unflavored, low fat or nonfat milk and yogurt. Eggs, seafood and poultry that meet or exceed the USDA’s definition of lean will likewise bear the icon.

Developed in consultation with food and nutrition experts, nutrition criteria was informed by authoritative guidance from the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, the Food and Drug Administration, US Department of Agriculture and Institute of Medicine. A complete list of nutrition criteria can be found at www.walmartgreatforyou.com.

Great For You, which was revealed at an event here Monday, drew praise from First Lady Michelle Obama. “The healthy seal will be another tool for parents to identify the best products for their kids. Giving parents the information they need to make healthy choices is a key piece of solving childhood obesity," she said.