As nutrition advocates who are committed to improving public education about science-based dietary recommendations, we recognize the importance of how our nutrition guidance program performs in independently funded research published in peer-reviewed journals. We’re committed to engaging with the industry about our algorithm, which is why we’re pleased to share the research and science looking at Guiding Stars.
Transparency about the way we rate food is an important part of our work, which is why we published our algorithm. We’ve also provided a white paper explaining the science behind Guiding Stars.
2023
American Journal of Preventive Medicine
In-Store Marketing and Supermarket Purchases: Associations Overall and by Transaction SNAP Status
An analysis of 274 million supermarket transactions revealed that in-store marketing significantly impacts purchases, particularly for SNAP participants. Utilizing Guiding Stars nutrition guidance program in prominent displays may encourage more nutritious choices and enhance public health, meriting further investigation.
Elselvier
The creation of an online grocery store for experimental purposes: A pilot study
A pilot study explored how gamification and budget constraints influence consumer choices in a virtual grocery store. Participants exposed to game elements selected products with higher Guiding Stars ratings, while those without gamification chose lower-rated items. This effect remained consistent independent of budgets, demonstrating gamification and nutrition rating systems’ potential to encourage more nutritious purchasing decisions.
2022
American Journal of Preventive Medicine
Consumer Reactions to Positive and Negative Front of-Package Food Labels
A study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine emphasizes the effectiveness of front-of-package labels in driving healthier purchases and improving consumer understanding, highlighting the need for accessible strategies. The Guiding Stars evidence-based nutrition guidance program supports this initiative through simplifying nutritional data and identifying nutritious options to enhance transparency, guide consumer choices, and reinforce positive dietary habits.
Implementation Science
Implementation of a 2-for-1 Price Incentive for Fruits and Vegetables in a Grocery Retail Setting
A 2015-2017 study assessed a 2-for-1 price incentive for fruits and vegetables (F&V) with 1,006 shoppers. Results showed 85% participant satisfaction, increased F&V purchases, and high adoption (95% used loyalty cards, 82% redeemed coupons). The study highlights that financial incentives can promote healthier choices, but implementation optimization is necessary for sustained success.
JAMA
Preventing Obesity—It Is Time for Multiple Policy Strategies
A 2022 JAMA health policy review highlights the need for multi-policy strategies to reduce obesity. A study by Petimar et al. found that the Guiding Stars nutrition guidance program led to decreased calorie purchases, including a 5.1% drop from bakery items and 11% from deli foods, demonstrating its effectiveness in promoting healthier choices.
JAMA Internal Medicine
Assessment of Calories Purchased After Calorie Labeling of Prepared Foods in a Large Supermarket Chain
A JAMA Internal Medicine study using Guiding Stars data found that calorie labeling led to a 5.1% decrease in calories per transaction for bakery items and an 11.0% decrease for deli items, suggesting that supermarket calorie labeling is linked to modest reductions in calories purchased from certain prepared foods.
2021
Public Health Nutrition
Comparing shopper characteristics by online grocery ordering use among households in low-income communities in Maine
A 2015-2017 study found low-income households are less likely to use online grocery services due to income, nutrition assistance participation, and demographics. Integrating the Guiding Stars nutrition guidance program into online grocery platforms could help reduce barriers by simplifying nutrition information and promoting nutritious choices.
Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior
Comparing Online and In-Store Grocery Purchases
A study analyzing 5,573 transactions found that online grocery shopping led to decreased purchases of unhealthy, impulse-sensitive items, suggesting potential health benefits. Reduced exposure to in-store marketing, visual and sensory cues and impulse-buying triggers, such as product placement and in-store promotions may allow for more deliberate decision-making, as consumers can plan their purchases and review their carts before checkout, leading to healthier choices overall.
American Journal of Preventive Medicine
Calorie Labeling and Product Reformulation: A Longitudinal Analysis of Supermarket Prepared Foods
A study using Guiding Stars data found that after the 2010 Affordable Care Act required supermarkets to display calorie information, newly introduced bakery items had a 27% reduction in caloric content. These findings suggest that calorie labeling policies may encourage beneficial reformulation in certain types of prepared supermarket foods.
JAMA Network Open
Effect of Personalized Incentives on Dietary Quality of Groceries Purchased A Randomized Crossover Trial
A randomized crossover trial examined the impact of a personalized healthy food incentive intervention on grocery purchases. Using the Guiding Stars nutrition guidance program, researchers identified more nutritious alternatives and provided coupons with nutrition education messages. Findings showed that personalized incentives led to a modest but significant improvement in the dietary quality of participants’ grocery purchases.
2020
Healthy Eating Research
Understanding the Value of Academic Research Partnerships with Food Retailers
A 2020 article from the Healthy Eating Research Program highlights that health-focused services, including in-store dietitians and the Guiding Stars nutrition guidance program, have elevated consumer expectations for grocery stores to actively support shoppers in their pursuit of healthier eating habits.
2019
American Journal of Preventive Medicine
Supermarket Purchases Over the SNAP Benefit Month: A Comparison Between SNAP Participants and Non-participants
An American Journal of Preventive Medicine study found SNAP participants’ food spending dropped 37% over the benefit month, reducing purchases of fruits, vegetables, and proteins. This decline underscores challenges in maintaining consistent nutrition, emphasizing the need for policy changes and programs to ensure stable, healthy food access for SNAP recipients.
Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior
Make it Fresh, for Less! A supermarket meal bundling and electronic reminder intervention to promote healthy purchases among families with children
A 2019 Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior study tested a supermarket intervention using meal bundling and electronic reminders to promote healthier purchases among families with children. The intervention showed no significant impact on healthier food purchases, suggesting that more targeted in-store promotions and digital strategies are needed to effectively influence consumer behavior and dietary choices.
2018
Health Affairs
Financial Incentives Increase Purchases Of Fruit And Vegetables Among Lower-Income Households With Children
A 2016 study examining the impact of financial incentive programs in conjunction with the use of the Guiding Stars nutrition guidance program supports continued funding for such programs as a means to increase fruit and vegetable purchases among low-income families with children, suggesting careful consideration of program design and delivery to maximize benefits.
Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior
A Supermarket Double-Dollar Incentive Program Increases Purchases of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables among Low Income Families with Children: The Healthy Double Study
A 2015-2016 supermarket-based study examined the impact of financial incentives and the Guiding Stars nutrition guidance program in reducing barriers to accessing nutritious foods for low-income families. The study found that participants who engaged with the incentive program significantly increased their purchases and consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables compared to those who did not participate.
2017
The Milbank Quarterly
Consumers’ Response to an On-Shelf Nutrition Labelling System in Supermarkets: Evidence to Inform Policy and Practice
According to a 2017 independent study, data from three supermarket chains and interviews with nearly 800 shoppers demonstrates that the Guiding Stars system helped shoppers choose items with less trans fat and sugar and more fiber and omega-3 fatty acids.
Read this Article at milbank.org »
Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior
Guiding Stars Influences Perception of Healthy Food Choices at a 4-Year University
A 2017 study at the University of New Hampshire has shown the value of Guiding Stars for university dining services. According to the study, “over time, patrons perceive a benefit from point-of-purchase nutrition information such as Guiding Stars, particularly at an on-campus eatery with a variety of choices.”
2014
Public Health Nutrition
The impact of a supermarket nutrition rating system on purchases of nutritious and less nutritious foods
A 2014 independent study conducted by researchers from Cornell University examined how the Guiding Stars nutrition rating system impacted consumer food purchases. According to the study, “the introduction of the nutrition ratings led shoppers to buy a more nutritious mix of products.”
Letter to the Editor
The Guiding Stars Scientific Advisory Panel provided comments to Public Health Nutrition in response to specific study conclusions.
International Food and Agribusiness Management Review
Simulating the Potential Effects of a Shelf-Tag Nutrition Information Program on Diet Quality Associated with Ready-to-Eat Cereals
According to independent data published in the International Food and Agribusiness Management (IFAMA) Review, the nationwide implementation of the Guiding Stars Program on ready-to-eat breakfast cereals alone could prompt consumers to reduce the amount of added sugars and increase the amount of whole grains in their diets by 2.5 percent, while also reducing calories and sodium intake.
2013
Food Policy
Effects of the Guiding Stars Program on purchases of ready-to-eat cereals with different nutritional attributes
A 2013 study published in the journal Food Policy confirms that Guiding Stars influences grocery shoppers’ selections, significantly increasing demand for products that are rated more nutritious, at the expense of those that are not. According to the study, shoppers were significantly more likely to choose ready-to-eat cereals with one, two or three Guiding Stars, indicating a higher nutritional value, versus those with zero stars, or a lower nutritional value.
2011
American Journal of Health Promotion
Development and Implementation of the Guiding Stars Nutrition Guidance Program
In July 2011, the Guiding Stars program received a patent for the algorithm used to rate foods. In the same year, the algorithm was made transparent by publication in a peer-reviewed article. We are proud to be the first nutrition guidance program to take this step, which we hope will benefit the public through influencing both food manufacturing practices and public policy on nutrition labeling, ultimately benefiting consumers looking for an easy way to identify more nutritious foods.
2010
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
Guiding Stars: The effect of a nutrition navigation program on consumer purchases at the supermarket
Research published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition shows Guiding Stars had a positive influence on food purchasing decisions after the implementation of the zero-to-three star rating system and that these changes continue to be significant in achieving healthier food choices in the supermarket.