Using the Stars
Shop with confidence. Our nutrition guidance program reads nutrition labels and measures every product using established nutrition science.
More Stars = More Nutrition
1 star
GOOD Nutrition
2 stars
BETTER Nutrition
3 stars
BEST Nutrition
How the Stars Work
We read nutrition labels so you don’t have to.
Accessible Data
We evaluate how nutritious a food is, looking for:
More
Fiber
Live Active Cultures
Omega-3s
Vitamins & Minerals
Whole Grains
Less
Add Sodium
Added Sugar
Additives to Limit
Saturated Fat
Trans Fat
More
Fiber
Live Active Cultures
Omega-3s
Vitamins & Minerals
Whole Grains
Less
Add Sodium
Added Sugar
Additives to Limit
Saturated Fat
Trans Fat
Transparent Formulas
You choose foods that earn Stars to improve your nutrition.
GOOD Nutrition
BETTER Nutrition
BEST Nutrition
GOOD Nutrition
BETTER Nutrition
BEST Nutrition
Transparent Formulas
Shop with the Stars
Compare Foods Within a Catergory
Check the star rating on shelf tags or online to see which products have better nutritional value.
Make Quick Decisions With Confidence
Guiding Stars’ simple, positive messaging means you don’t have to read the label to know that a product is good for you.
Balance Choices Without Rules or Restrictions
Make informed choices in any food category.
Put the Stars to Work
Food Finder
Search our database of thousands of foods to see their Star ratings. Compare different brands and find more nutritious alternatives within categories to make more informed shopping decisions.
- Search by product name or brand
- Browse by food category
- Understand a product’s Star rating
Store Finder
Find trusted nutrition guidance where you shop. Store Finder helps you locate participating retailers that feature Guiding Stars, making it easier to find more nutritious options quickly while you shop.
- Find participating retailers nationwide
- Filter by location and store type
- Get directions and store hours
Why Some Foods Earn Zero Stars
Common reasons you don’t see stars:
• The product does not meet the nutrition criteria to earn at least 1 Guiding Star.
• The product is exempt from evaluation. Foods with 5 calories or fewer, alcohol, medical foods such as infant formula, and dietary supplements are not evaluated.
• The product is new and hasn’t been evaluated yet.
Common Questions
No, the Guiding Stars program has 5 unique algorithms to evaluate different categories of foods and beverages. Most foods are evaluated with the General Foods algorithm. However, meats, poultry, seafood, dairy, and nuts are naturally higher in fats and, with the exception of nuts, do not contain dietary fiber, so they are evaluated with a separate algorithm which recognizes these natural differences. There is also a different algorithm for fats and oils, and one for beverages. Infant and toddler foods have their own algorithm as well, which reflects the specific nutritional requirements of children 2 years of age and under.
For more information about the Guiding Stars evaluation process, see “Our Algorithms”.
Guiding Stars evaluates all foods in the store, but only those that meet Guiding Stars nutritional standards earn Stars. Foods with Stars deliver more nutrients per calorie or more “bang for your buck”.
If the product or shelf tag has no Stars, it simply means one of the following:
- The food item does not meet the nutritional criteria to receive a Guiding Star.
- The food item has five calories or fewer per serving.
- The item is a baby formula, alcohol, variety pack, dietary supplement, and/or medical food, all of which are not evaluated by the Guiding Stars program.
The Guiding Stars team partners with data providers to process food and beverage product data that informs the Star rating. Ratings are based on data visible to consumers, such as the Nutrition Facts label, ingredient list, and product package claims. The data is verified through a multi-level quality control process, and product photographs are maintained to support research on all ratings. As with any very large database, mistakes are possible. Manufacturers are constantly revising formulations and product packaging, and Guiding Stars reviews and reevaluates the updated product information each time.
Protein is not included as an element in the Guiding Stars algorithm for several reasons. In the United States, people generally overconsume this macronutrient, and protein deficiency is extremely rare. Additionally, protein is found in small amounts in many foods (i.e. produce, grains), so it makes more sense to consider protein as a component of the total diet, rather than as a percentage of individual foods. Finally, there is no long-term data on the safety and health effects of increased protein intake as recommended by many recent fad diets.
If a certain property isn’t included in our algorithm, it means that science does not currently show a meaningful nutritional benefit or drawback for that property and that it is not part of regular labeling practices. As labeling regulations are updated to reflect new scientific consensus, the Guiding Stars algorithm will be updated to reflect the current recommendations.
As you shop in each aisle of the grocery store or online at participating grocery stores, Guiding Stars can help identify more nutritious options within that food category or group. For example, choosing between two different kinds of cereal. It is not designed for comparing foods across categories, such as comparing a serving of grapes to a serving of yogurt.
To find a participating grocery store, see our Store Finder.
Where To Go Next
Nutrition Guidance
Practical, evidence-based advice for everyday decisions.
Find Practical Recipes
Bring the Stars to your table.
Science Behind the Stars
How the rating system works.