Guiding Stars Gains Patent for Nutrition Rating Algorithm

Guiding Stars’ nutrition guidance program has been granted a U.S. patent (No. 7974881) for its nutrition rating algorithm.

“Obtaining this patent is a vitally important step toward demonstrating Guiding Stars’ commitment to innovation and transparency in the marketplace,” said Betts FitzGerald, managing director of the Scarborough, Maine-based Guiding Stars Licensing Co. Now in its fifth year, the patent “is particularly noteworthy as we look to the next five years of growth for our brand and our program,” she added.

The Guiding Stars algorithm is grounded in evidence-based science and the most current guidelines and recommendations of leading national and international health organizations, such as the FDA and USDA. The system credits all edible foods based on the presence of vitamins, minerals, dietary fiber and whole grains, and debits for the presence of trans fat, saturated fats, cholesterol, added sugars and added sodium. Food items are then awarded zero, one, two or three stars – one star means good nutritional value; two stars, better nutritional value; and three stars, the best nutritional value.

Guiding Stars is currently in more than 1,600 supermarkets including Food Lion, Hannaford, Bloom, Sweetbay, Kings Super Market, Homeland, and launching soon in Marsh Supermarkets. Guiding Stars has also expanded into public schools, colleges, hospitals, and corporate cafeterias and appears on the Shopper mobile iPhone application.

For more information, visit www.guidingstars.com.