February 20, 2012

Walmart's Pointless New Labels

I think this comment about Walmart’s new labeling system by clinical nutrition professor and Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics spokeswoman Lona Sandon says it all: "People already have the information they need on the food label. Just turn the box around and take a look at the Nutrition Facts Panel. You do not need a special rating system to tell you that fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean meats are good for you."

Either Walmart doesn’t think its customers are smart enough to realize the obvious or the company is willing to make lame concessions to get Michelle Obama off its tail. Neither scenario makes me eager to shop there again.

What's more, the new labeling system simply doesn't fit the Walmart brand. Walmart came to rule the retail industry because of its low prices; it's not an "aspirational brand" that anyone has ever looked to in order to improve their health or image. The price tag is the only label that really matters to its loyal shoppers.

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