Composite index for aggregating nutrient density using food labels: ratio of recommended to restricted food components.

This article describes a ratio of recommended to restricted food components (RRR) designed to provide consumers with a summary of food label information to guide healthful, single-item food selections. As a ratio, RRR is interpreted such that better foods score over 1.0. The potential usefulness of the ratio is illustrated comparing foods within categories of the Food Guide Pyramid (eg, skim milk and whole milk). The RRR is proposed for use at the point of purchase for single food items, summarizing the food label, or providing concise information where none is currently presented, such as in restaurants.