Walmart's decision to use printed labels on food products to encourage people to switch to healthier diets has drawn praise from a leading medical centre.
The US retailer recently announced it is adding a standard logo across all the items in its stores that it believes qualify as healthy eating products.
According to SUNY Downstate Medical Center's School of Public Health, this is a good idea in theory, ABC News reports
However, dean of the establishment Pascal Imperato said its success depends on whether Walmart uses "sound nutritional evidence" to determine which items will get the new logo.
"A stamp of approval as 'healthy' could mislead if it is not linked to label information about vitamin and mineral content, fat and sugar levels [and] chemical additives," he commented.
The move could prompt other retailers in the US and around the world to step up their efforts to encourage shoppers to improve their diet.
Denny Bros Ltd, 09 February 2012
