Introducing NuVal®.
Better nutrition at a glance.

More information, less work. The NuVal® Nutritional Scoring System is a food scoring system that helps you see at a glance the nutritional value of the foods you buy. The NuVal® System rates all foods and beverages on a scale of 1 to 100. The higher the NuVal® Score, the better the overall nutrition. Scores are displayed directly on shelf tags, scale labels, and other signage throughout the store so you can make quick and easy nutritional comparisons between foods.

We do the science so you don't have to.
NuVal®  Scores incorporate information from the nutrition fact panel and more. The Score considers more than 30 nutrients and nutrition factors, like carbohydrates, proteins and fat, as well as the quality of the nutrients. The not-so-good stuff? We look at those too: trans-fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, sugar and sodium. The net result is one number from 1-100: the higher the number, the better the nutrition. That's the NuVal® Score.

Information you can trust.
Who's behind the NuVal® Scores? An independent panel of nutrition and medical experts from leading universities and health organizations led by Dr. David Katz of the Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center. Who doesn't have a say in NuVal® Scores? Food and beverage manufacturers and special interest groups. Your supermarket offers NuVal® Scores to make your shopping experience better, but they do not influence the Scores in any way.
 
Better nutrition in the real world.
Navigating all of the nutritional information in a grocery store can be pretty complicated. That's why NuVal® Scores are on all kinds of foods, from apples to cookies, from yogurt to noodles to tuna. The NuVal® Score helps improve you and your family's overall nutrition with the foods they already eat. Look for NuVal® Scores on the shelf tags throughout your store!
 

The NuVal® Nutritional Scoring System helps you cut through confusing nutrition information so you can make decisions about food quickly and easily – and feel good about your choices.

Should you buy wheat or oatmeal bread? Are pretzels more nutritious than tortilla chips? These are the decisions that NuVal® scores can help you make – in seconds – as you’re walking down the aisles of your store. The NuVal® System provides comprehensive nutritional information in one simple number between 1 and 100. The higher the NuVal® score, the better the nutrition.

NuVal® Scores will be displayed right at the point of purchase – on shelf tags, aisle signage and other communications. At a glance, you’ll be able to see and compare the nutritional value of products as part of your regular shopping routine.

Store associates will be available to answer questions and help you use NuVal® Scores while you are shopping. There also will be a variety of informational materials about the NuVal® System available in your local store.

Eventually, almost every product in our supermarket will have a NuVal® Score. Scores will roll out by category (produce, protein, salty snacks, etc.), so if you don’t see NuVal® Scores in your favorite aisle yet, know that they are coming soon.

All you have to do is:

Look.   It’s easy to incorporate NuVal® Scores into your regular shopping routine. Just look for the NuVal® System’s double-hexagon emblem and 1-100 food score on shelf tags next to the price.  

Compare.   The NuVal® Score’s convenient location on the shelf tag lets

Decide.   NuVal® Scores make it easy to find more nutritious alternatives in nearly every department and aisle in the store. So when you want to buy more nutritious foods, simply look for those with higher NuVal® Scores. And even if you don’t buy the product with the highest Score, you have the nutrition information you need to make your decision quickly and easily.

The NuVal® Nutritional Scoring System takes more than 30 different nutrients and nutrition factors into account when developing a Score, making it a very robust food rating system. The nutrient content for a food is processed through a complex algorithm developed through a rigorous process by a team of twelve experts. Boiled down to its simplest description, here is how the NuVal® Nutritional Scoring System works:
 

• Nutrients with generally favorable effects on health are placed in the numerator, where higher values increase the NuVal® Score.
• Nutrients with generally unfavorable effects on health are placed in the denominator, where higher values decrease the NuVal® score.

NuVal® Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is NuVal®?

A: The NuVal® Nutritional Scoring System is a food scoring system that allows you to see - at a glance - the nutritional value of the food you buy. NuVal® ranks all foods on a scale of 1 to 100; the higher the score, the more nutritious the food. NuVal® is a tool you can easily use while shopping to make more nutritious food choices. Using NuVal®, you will find good nutrition and good value in places you may never have thought.

Q: Why does my store post NuVal® scores for foods?

A: NuVal® provides nutritional guidance that you, our customers, have asked for. While customers appreciate the variety and selection we provide, our research has shown there's a growing demand for a simple, easy way to find the most nutritious foods on our shelves. NuVal® offers nutritional transparency, is backed by solid science, and was created independent of food manufacturers, meaning it's a system you can trust. Recently, NuVal® won the endorsement of the American College of Preventive Medicine (ACPM), whose mission is to promote health and curb disease.

Scores are placed throughout your store so you can decide what your optimal NuVal® score should be in each food category. We see the NuVal® system as an opportunity to do something good for public health in light of the growing rates of lifestyle-related diseases such as diabetes, obesity and heart disease. While these trends are disturbing, the good news is that they are reversible, and NuVal® can help.

Q: Who developed the NuVal® system?

A: NuVal® is a science-based food nutrition system that was created independently of any food manufacturer. A team of recognized nutrition and medical experts from leading universities and health organizations drove the development of the Overall Nutritional Quality Index (ONQI™) algorithm, which generates NuVal® scores.

Funded by Griffin Hospital, a non-profit community hospital and teaching affiliate of the Yale University School of Medicine, located in Derby, CT, and home to the Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center, this team, led by Dr. David Katz, worked for two years to develop the ONQI™ algorithm.

Q: What specific nutrients and factors go into a NuVal® Score?

A: The following nutrients and nutrition factors are used in determining a food's NuVal® Score.

Nutrients considered to have generally favorable effects on health
• Fiber
• Folate
• Vitamin A
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin D
• Vitamin E
• Vitamin B12
• Vitamin B6
• Potassium
• Calcium
• Zinc
• Omega-3 fatty acids
• Total bioflavanoids
• Total carotenoids
• Magnesium
• Iron

Nutrients with generally unfavorable effects on health
• Saturated fat
• Trans fat
• Sodium
• Sugar
• Cholesterol

Additional entries
• Protein quality
• Fat quality
• Glycemic load
• Energy density

Q: Can NuVal® be used for special diets (such as low sodium, low fat, etc.)?

A: NuVal® does not reflect special diets, such as low fat or low sodium, and customers looking for specific nutrient levels will still need to review the Nutrition Facts Panel (NFP). However, a higher NuVal® score generally reflects a lower quantity of negative nutrients such as sodium and fat.

Q: Are NuVal® scores adjusted for "positive" additives such as probiotics?

A: NuVal® does not give consideration to non-nutrient food additives at this time, such as probiotics or plant sterols, because these items do not add or detract from the nutritional value. Of course, consumers may still benefit from these additives.

Q: Do NuVal® Scores consider portion size?

A: No. Since the nutritional quality of a food does not vary with serving size, the NuVal® System does not offer guidance for portion size. You still need to choose portion sizes of foods appropriate for your daily needs. However, because it factors in properties that influence satiety, foods that score well on the NuVal® System can fill you up on fewer calories, and therefore may be a tool to help consumers consciously manage their own portions.

Q: How many products at my store have a NuVal® Score?

A: It is our goal to have NuVal® scores on as many items as possible. Most departments use NuVal® scores, such as produce, cookies, crackers, dairy, meats, seafood, cereal, soft drinks and frozen foods, and we will soon have scores for items in our deli and bakery departments.