Guiding Stars is updating its algorithm, the formula it uses to assign stars to foods and beverages. Integrity and relevancy are critical to the success of the Guiding Stars nutrition guidance program and its objective, science-based standards. These updates make the program even stronger and more effective at guiding consumers toward nutritious options.
Guiding Stars relies on the expertise of its independent Scientific Advisory Panel (SAP) to be consistent with the current Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) labeling policy. After a thorough review of the latest DGA, the SAP recommended updating its approach in response to evolving scientific evidence.
Summary of Updates
Key information about the Guiding Stars Algorithm updates:
- Updated Infant & Toddler guidance to align with DGA guidance for under age 2
- Products containing any added sugar are disqualified from earning stars
- Added sodium cutpoints were adjusted
- New fiber credit created
- Vitamins and minerals credit is based on shortfall nutrients
- Adopted DGA Advisory Committee recommendation for added sugar
- Lowered initial added sugar debit to 6% of calories (was 10% before)
- More consistent evaluation of products containing sugar alcohols
- 1-Star reduction for products with a sugar alcohol ingredient (previous debit based on voluntary declaration by manufacturers)
Impact on Star Ratings
| Algorithm: Infant & Toddler Foods | |
|---|---|
| What Changed | – Products with any added sugar are disqualified from earning stars – Added sodium cutpoints – New fiber credit created – Vitamins and minerals credit based on shortfall nutrients |
| Why | To better align with current Dietary Guidelines for Americans |
| Impact | 65 products lost stars in Guiding Stars database Categories with greatest impact: – Puffs |
| Algorithms: General Foods; Meats, Poultry, Seafood, Dairy & Nuts; Fats & Oils | |
| What Changed | Lowered initial added sugar debit to 6% of calories |
| Why | Align with DGA Advisory Committee Recommendation |
| Impact | 889 products lost stars in Guiding Stars database Categories with greatest impact: – Commercial Breads/Bakery – Yogurt – Breakfast Cereal |
| Algorithms: General Foods; Meats, Poultry, Seafood, Dairy & Nuts; Fats & Oils; Infants & Toddler Foods | |
| What Changed | 1-Star reduction for sugar alcohols |
| Why | Change to Nutrition Facts label requirements (FDA) |
| Impact | 889 products lost stars in Guiding Stars database Categories with greatest impact: – Commercial Breads/Bakery – Yogurt – Breakfast Cereal |
Learn More
You can learn more about the Science Behind the Stars by accessing the White Paper that details the Guiding Stars algorithm.
About Guiding Stars
Guiding Stars is an objective, evidence-based, nutrition guidance program. Since 2006, it has helped millions of consumers make more nutritious choices, making a positive and lasting impact on public health. The program evaluates foods and beverages when products meet its standard for nutritional value, stars are awarded to indicate good, better, and best nutrition to give consumers simple and easy to understand advice: the more stars a food earns, the more nutritious it is. The Guiding Stars algorithms includes only nutrients that have been researched to the extent that a scientific consensus has been reached and for which the knowledge has been translated into USDA’s Dietary Guidelines for Americans or nutrition policy at either the national or international level. Guiding Stars is currently in more than 2,000 retail grocery stores, including all Food Lion, Giant Food, The GIANT Company, Hannaford, and Stop & Shop stores. Guiding Stars can also be found in public schools, universities, corporate and hospital dining facilities, non-profit hunger relief organizations, and is accessible through the Guiding Stars Food Finder app for iOS and Android devices. To learn more about the Guiding Stars program, visit www.staging.guidingstars.com.