2007年VOA标准英语-Nutrition, Star System Aids Grocery Shoppers

By Carol Pearson
Washington
11 September 2007
 

People the world over are buying more processed and packaged foods, sometimes with unwanted side effects:  foods high in salt, sugar and fat.  But a supermarket chain based in the northeastern U.S. state of Maine decided¹ to rank the food it sells based on nutritional² value, and, as VOA's Carol Pearson reports, shoppers responded.

It takes some insight and understanding to read most food labels and figure out the nutritional value. So one supermarket chain in United States decided to take the guesswork out of shopping for nutrition-minded consumers.

Poster inside store explains food rating system. Foods with 3 stars are the best

For the past year, gold stars have guided shoppers toward healthier products at Hannaford Supermarkets.  One star indicates a good choice.  Two stars are better.  And three is best.

Spokeswoman Caren Epstein says it has made a difference in what shoppers are buying. "When given a choice between a product with stars and one without stars, customers consistently choose the one with stars."

Hannaford ranked more than 25,000 food products. After 12 months, the company found the greatest impact was in the packaged foods. Shoppers bought cereals, bread, pastas and soup with stars two and a half times more often than similar foods without stars. Sales of lean ground beef went up seven percent, while sales of fattier ground beef went down by five percent. The company saw sales of fat-free milk increase and sales of whole milk decrease.

Caren Epstein

"When I'm deciding about a product, if it has stars, I'm more likely to get it," said one customer. Another added, "It's a very convenient way to make sure I'm making the healthiest choices for me and my family."

Hannaford determined³ the star ratings system with the help of a scientific advisory⁴ panel. The store says it plans to expand the star ratings on other foods in the near future.  

And the trend seems to be catching⁵ on. Another grocery chain, this one in Florida, is now using the star system and others are considering the move as well.

1 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

2 nutritional   

adj.营养的，滋养的

参考例句：

• A diet lacking in nutritional value will not keep a person healthy.缺乏营养价值的饮食不能维持人的健康。
• The labels on food products give a lot of information about their nutritional content.食品上的标签提供很多关于营养成分的信息。

3 determined   

adj.坚定的；有决心的

参考例句：

• I have determined on going to Tibet after graduation.我已决定毕业后去西藏。
• He determined to view the rooms behind the office.他决定查看一下办公室后面的房间。

4 advisory   

adj.劝告的，忠告的，顾问的，提供咨询

参考例句：

• I have worked in an advisory capacity with many hospitals.我曾在多家医院做过顾问工作。
• He was appointed to the advisory committee last month.他上个月获任命为顾问委员会委员。

5 catching   

adj.易传染的，有魅力的，迷人的，接住

参考例句：

• There are those who think eczema is catching.有人就是认为湿疹会传染。
• Enthusiasm is very catching.热情非常富有感染力。

6 override   

vt.不顾，不理睬，否决；压倒，优先于

参考例句：

• The welfare of a child should always override the wishes of its parents.孩子的幸福安康应该永远比父母的愿望来得更重要。
• I'm applying in advance for the authority to override him.我提前申请当局对他进行否决。

7 administrator   

n.经营管理者，行政官员

参考例句：

• The role of administrator absorbed much of Ben's energy.行政职务耗掉本很多精力。
• He has proved himself capable as administrator.他表现出管理才能。