Discount supermarket Aldi is adding another string to its bow with the launch of a free grocery app that facilitates healthy food choices.
Healthy Picks, which was developed in partnership with The George Institute for Global Health, gives users an insight into the nutritional rating of a product when they scan the barcode with their phone.
Every packaged food and drink product in-store, bar fresh items, will display the nutrition information and either a Health Star Rating or Traffic Light Label to help inform consumers before making a purchase.
If the consumer wants an alternative option, the app recommends a product in the same category which could be considered a healthier option based on the Health Star Rating.
Aldi said the app is designed to meet the “rising demand for more transparency and healthier alternatives”.
“Over the years, we have heard from customers who have expressed a desire to better understand the nutrition panels on packaged products,” a spokesperson for Aldi told Inside FMCG .
“In collaboration with The George Institute, we took the time make sure the app was simple to use and provided easy-to-understand information. Work started on the app last year and we’re delighted to launch it.”
Both rating systems evaluate a product based on the amount of energy, saturated fat, sugar and sodium it contains.
For shoppers seeking vegetarian alternatives, the app uses a green side bar to indicate which products are suitable.
“Not only does the app educate shoppers, it will also assist in reducing the time and effort spent comparing the nutritional content and ingredient lists of packaged products,” the spokesperson said.
While the Health Star Rating has come under much scrutiny of late, Aldi said it supports the system and is will “make improvements and updates
to reflect any changes” in the future.
Aldi recently expanded its range of health foods and will be releasing new products in its Oh So Natural range as well as healthier snack options for kids in the coming months.
