Stop & Shop, Giant-Landover launch new health, wellness initiatives

LANDOVER, Md. — Two of Royal Ahold's U.S. supermarket chains are offering new labeling to make gluten-free foods easier to find in the store, while one has launched a new magazine to address childhood obesity.

Giant-Landover and Stop & Shop announced new shelf labels designed to make gluten-free foods easier to spot for shoppers. The labels are colored blue and green and are placed directly below products. "We want to make grocery shopping as convenient as possible for all our shoppers," Giant-Landover president Anthony Hucker said. "People who maintain gluten-free diets no longer have to check ingredients on every item they purchase in Giant, but instead [can] look for the blue and green gluten-free shelf tags. We're happy to offer this convenience to all our customers, whatever their dietary needs may be."

In addition, Stop & Shop has started a quarterly magazine, Kid Healthy Ideas, and placed it in its stores. The 12-page magazine is aimed at children aged 8 years to 12 yeras and features health-related educational articles, games and recipes. "For many families, healthy eating choices begin at the supermarket, and with childhood obesity on the rise, it's an important issue to Stop & Shop," Stop & Shop New York metro division public and community relations manager Arlene Putterman said.