The U.S.' oldest consumer group today filed a formal complaint with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) about a nutritional scoring system - used in nearly 2,000 stores nationwide - that gives Doritos Tortilla Chips and Ghirardelli “Carmel Turtle Chocolate Brownie Mix” higher nutritional ratings than canned peaches or mandarin oranges.
“The NuVal rating system is fatally flawed and should be discarded,” said National Consumers League Executive Director Sally Greenberg. “Its algorithmic formula – which is not transparent to consumers or the scientific community – results in snack chips, soft drinks, and desserts being given as high or higher nutritional scores than some canned fruits and vegetables.
NuVal’s so-called nutritional ratings are a travesty that confuse, rather than enlighten, consumers. We need the FDA to step in and set industry-wide standards. Moreover, the FDA should not allow NuVal or any other flawed nutritional rating system to further confuse consumers who are trying to make healthy decisions for their families.”
The FDA contacted the Grocery Manufacturers Association and the Food Marketing Institute in 2011 administering conditions for use of the trade associations’ “Facts up Front” labeling program.
The government group has not taken any public action in regards to NuVal, nor has it published any standard criteria for nutritional rating systems.
NCL’s letter to the FDA states a number of NuVal scores; (which they deem inappropriate) the higher the score, the more “nutritious" the product – according to NuVal:
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Tostitos Light Restaurant Style Tortilla Chips made with Olestra (28)
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Baked Lays Originals Potato Crisps (25)
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Ghirardelli Caramel Turtle Chocolate Brownie Mix (22)
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Raley’s Cut Green beans (22)
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Chug Milk Shake Vanilla (21)
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Doritos Tortilla Chips (20)
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Diet Coke (15)
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Edwards Singles Hot Fudge Brownie with Creamy Ice Cream (13)
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Cracker Jack caramel coated popcorn (12)
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Famous Amos chocolate chip cookies (10)
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Raley’s Diced Pears in Light Syrup (10)
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Dole Mandarin Oranges in Light Syrup (7)
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S&W Yellow Cling Peach Chunks in Light Syrup (7)
Registered Dietitian and GalTime expert, Elisa Zied, offers a differing opinion about the complaint:
"I believe NuVal, spearheaded by the very credible Dr. David Katz, can be a useful tool consumers can use to compare foods and make more healthful choices that fit into their unique lifestyles. Americans need all the help they can get to make better food and beverage choices, and NuVal can be one component in their arsenal as they seek foods to support their own health and that of their families," Zied says.
What do you think?
Tara Weng is the national editor of parenting and health for GalTime. She is also a media consultant with a focus on medical and consumer topics. Her professional experience includes a stint as a medical/features producer at the NBC affiliate in Boston, MA and a media relations position at a top teaching hospital in Boston. Tara has also done public relations consulting work and has written for several online and print media outlets. She is a wife and a mother to two children (who are fantastic) and an enthusiastic New England sports fan.
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