Spartan brand products to feature Facts Up Front nutrition labeling

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Spartan Stores has announced that its Spartan brand packaging now will include front of packaging nutrition icons to help busy consumers make informed decisions when they shop. The new labels support the voluntary Facts Up Front nutrition labeling system designed by the Food Marketing Institute and the Grocery Manufacturing Association.

Spartan Stores has voluntarily placed the Facts Up Front nutrition icons on the front of products to highlight calories, saturated fat, sodium and sugar per serving, the daily value percentages for saturated fat and sodium, plus up to two icons showing "nutrients to be encouraged," such as fiber, protein, calcium and vitamins.


Spartan Stores was in the process of redesigning more than 2,000 Spartan brand labels in January 2011 when the GMA and FMI boards of directors — which together represent more than 80% of packaged food and beverage sales in the United States — unanimously endorsed the Facts Up Front (formerly known as Nutrition Keys) initiative. The $50 million Facts Up Front consumer education campaign will launch in early 2012, when consumers will see the new icons on a majority of products in the marketplace.


"Spartan Stores is committed to providing its D&W Fresh Market, Family Fare, Glen's, VG's and 375 independent Spartan Stores' customers with easy-to-read and understand nutrition labeling on more than 2,000 Spartan brand products. This is a tremendous voluntary undertaking, but we believe our customers will appreciate the Facts Up Front labeling as they can help them quickly make healthier decisions on food and beverage choices. We wanted to get the labels on products as quickly as possible,” stated Alan Hartline, Spartan Stores EVP merchandising and marketing.



Rollout of the Facts Up Front new labeling system already is on the following product categories:

• Spartan Frozen Chicken — in stores now;


• Spartan Baked Beans — in stores now;


• Fresh Selections Salads — will be among one of the first categories to have the Facts Up Front;


• Spartan Canned Fruit — coming soon; and


• Completed on all Spartan private brand and Spartan Fresh Selections packaging by January 2013.