Food pyramid to be erected in stores at last Revised nutrition triangle promoting better eating will appear in 17 states

Joe Raedle / Getty Images file Based on federal dietary guidelines, the colorful pyramid appeared in 2005, replacing an old one that most people recognized but hardly anyone heeded, surveys revealed.

WASHINGTON - The government's new food pyramid is finally headed to supermarkets after two years of being confined largely to the Internet.

The triangle-shaped guide for healthy eating will be promoted in 2,000 stores in 17 states, reaching millions of grocery shoppers, officials announced Thursday. More supermarket chains are expected to join the campaign, which is being paid for by food companies and stores.

The industry makes no apology for any of its products, even those full of fat or sodium, said Cal Dooley, who heads the Grocery Manufacturers of America and Food Products Association.

"We also know we have a whole host of products that are meeting the guidelines today," Dooley said.

Eating food advertised as fitting into the pyramid will make people healthier, he said.