This unusual symbol and number isn't part of the price.
"It's a pretty good idea," said grocery shopper Fancie Ford.
It's actually a system available at certain grocery stores to help you determine which product packs the most nutrients.
Emma Mckenzie drives all the way to Abilene from Hamlin just to have the option.
"I prefer health foods, I try to find the better quality," she said.
The retired truck driver is a diabetic so picking the foods with the least sugars and most protein is very important.
"The more healthy you eat, the better your health gets and I want to get better," she said.
It's called the NuVal system, based on a scale from one to 100 from the least healthy, to the most nutritious.
"People need to know 'how do I make a choice so that I'm eating healthy? NuVal gives you one number that helps you make that choice one at a time as you pick up that food," said Dr. Gail Frank, a professor at the University of California in Long Beach and a contributor to NuVal.
You might be grocery shopping and notice that two products look exactly alike, but they could differ tremendously in terms of fat or sodium.
Just look at the NuVal number to determine which of the two is healthiest.
It may just be a 'fool proof' way of shopping.
"I'm not really educated on nutrition and values and it helps me because the higher the number, then I know its better for me," said McKenzie.
"You don't have to be a math whiz and you don't have to do any calculation, you look at the shelf label," said Dr. Frank.
Nutritionists behind the system say it could be implemented in pet food soon too.
So now there's one less excuse for choosing that sugary temptation.
Representatives from United Supermarkets say they're working on expanding the system in cities like Abilene.
They'd like to eventually offer nutritionist guided tours and may even begin to offer some of the nutritionists top picks beginning next spring.
"It's a pretty good idea," said grocery shopper Fancie Ford.
It's actually a system available at certain grocery stores to help you determine which product packs the most nutrients.
Emma Mckenzie drives all the way to Abilene from Hamlin just to have the option.
"I prefer health foods, I try to find the better quality," she said.
The retired truck driver is a diabetic so picking the foods with the least sugars and most protein is very important.
"The more healthy you eat, the better your health gets and I want to get better," she said.
It's called the NuVal system, based on a scale from one to 100 from the least healthy, to the most nutritious.
"People need to know 'how do I make a choice so that I'm eating healthy? NuVal gives you one number that helps you make that choice one at a time as you pick up that food," said Dr. Gail Frank, a professor at the University of California in Long Beach and a contributor to NuVal.
You might be grocery shopping and notice that two products look exactly alike, but they could differ tremendously in terms of fat or sodium.
Just look at the NuVal number to determine which of the two is healthiest.
It may just be a 'fool proof' way of shopping.
"I'm not really educated on nutrition and values and it helps me because the higher the number, then I know its better for me," said McKenzie.
"You don't have to be a math whiz and you don't have to do any calculation, you look at the shelf label," said Dr. Frank.
Nutritionists behind the system say it could be implemented in pet food soon too.
So now there's one less excuse for choosing that sugary temptation.
Representatives from United Supermarkets say they're working on expanding the system in cities like Abilene.
They'd like to eventually offer nutritionist guided tours and may even begin to offer some of the nutritionists top picks beginning next spring.
