Recognition for role in creating NuVal Nutritional Scoring System
DERBY, CT (August 25, 2010) – The Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center announced it has won a 2010 Connecticut Quality Improvement Award’s (CQIA) Platinum Innovation Prize. An integral part of the Connecticut business landscape, the CQIA awards have rewarded new technologies and techniques in local businesses since 1995.
The Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center was one of four platinum winners, the highest level awarded from the CQIA. Awards will be presented at the Annual Connecticut Quality Improvement Award Conference on Quality and Innovation at Water’s Edge Resort in Westbrook on Friday, October 29, 2010. The ceremony is open to the public.
“Even in a faltering economy, Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center has shown that forward-looking organizations bring forth outstanding new products and services,” said Sheila Carmine, Founder and Executive Director of the Connecticut Quality Improvement Award (CQIA) Partnership in announcing this year’s winners.
Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center won the award this year for their creation of the NuValTM Nutritional Scoring System. Created at Griffin Hospital by Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center Director Dr. David Katz, NuVal ranks all foods based on their nutritional content; the higher the score, the higher the nutrition. NuVal is currently in use on the shelves at more than 700 supermarkets across the country, including Price Chopper and Big Y, both with locations in Connecticut. NuVal is also exploring other applications for its food scores, such as providing nutritional guidance at vending machines and cafeterias.
“We’re both honored and humbled by this announcement,” said Dr. Katz. “The prestigious Innovation Award has been given to the best of the best in Connecticut business, and we are very proud to be in such company. We are, as well, quite proud of NuVal, which uses the best available science to function like a ‘GPS’ for the food supply, making finding better nutrition effortless for all. Diet is a cornerstone of health, and diet can be improved one well-informed choice at a time. NuVal provides the needed guidance, at a glance.”
Dr. Katz pointed out that the CQIA announcement coincides with Big Y’s recent publicity about placing NuVal scores on its store shelves.
“Because of our partnership with Big Y, NuVal scores will now be available for the first time to Griffin Hospital employees and residents of the communities Griffin Hospital serves at Big Y supermarkets in Ansonia, Naugatuck, Monroe and Stratford,” Dr. Katz said. “We’re hopeful that this award, along with the introduction of NuVal at 25 Big Y stores in Connecticut, will make even more consumers aware of NuVal and what it can do for them.