Several leading food and beverage companies have agreed to feature a common nutrition label called the Smart Choice label, which will display the number of calories per serving and number of servings in a given product package.

Starting in 2009, ConAgra, Coca-Cola, General Mills, Kellogg’s, Kraft, PepsiCo, Unilever and Wal-Mart will replace their existing symbols and use this uniform label system. The Smart Choices symbol will be displayed on the front of food packages that meet certain nutritional criteria, including limits on total fat, trans fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, sodium and added sugars.

Developed with the input of academic nutritionists, the system also requires foods to contain beneficial nutrients such as calcium, potassium, fiber, magnesium, vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin E.

The program also encourages the consumption of certain food groups: fruits and vegetables, whole grains, low-fat or fat-free-dairy.

The companies planned to formally roll out the program at a conference of the American Dietetic Association in Chicago. More companies are expected to sign on, according to the nonprofit Keystone Center, which coordinated the coalition.

According to the Associated Press, academics, food manufacturers, retailers like Wal-Mart and groups like the American Heart Association, have spent nearly two years working on the program.

The group came up with 18 categories, including desserts, snacks, cereals, beverages, entrees, sandwiches and main dishes and then set nutritional guidelines within each category.