Star gets action
Dish column prompts grocer to review deli offerings
July 15, 2010
Loblaws is reviewing its deli counter items after the Star revealed its quarter chicken dinner with potato wedges and stir-fried vegetables is not as healthy an option as diners might think.
The Dish column, published July 2, found the grocery store dinner staple has 905 calories, 46 grams of fat and 2,498 mg of sodium — more calories, about the same amount of fat and twice the sodium as a Big Mac and medium order of fries.
The 2,498 milligrams of sodium is 160 per cent more than the recommended daily allotment and the equivalent of 60 shakes with the salt shaker.
Julija Hunter, Loblaw’s vice-president of public relations, contacted the Star to detail the company’s interest in the Star’s findings as they revisit food options at the company’s Marchetta counters.
“We are in the process of testing the nutritional content of some of the specific items you mentioned in your article,” Hunter said. “Once we have those results back, we will review any other opportunities to modify the content or the preparation of our offerings.”
Loblaw is looking at serving sizes and menu items at the deli counter to ensure customers have a variety of food options. The company is also working on “visibility tools” to make customers more aware of the different food choices and help them mix and match foods depending on their needs and preferences.
“But one thing you made very clear is that maybe our customers weren’t aware of all of our different options that are available to them,” Hunter said.
“We are committed to delivering healthy choices and selection to our customers.”
Megan Ogilvie
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