"DATELINE'S SUPERMARKET SWEEP" -- SUNDAY, JAN. 20

NBC NEWS RANKS THE COUNTRY'S TOP TEN GROCERY STORE CHAINS IN "DATELINE'S SUPERMARKET SWEEP" - SUNDAY, JAN. 22

Broadcast Investigates the Sanitary and Other Health-Related Conditions Based on Health Inspection Reports of Supermarkets Nationwide

NEW YORK -- January 20, 2006 -- In an unprecedented report, NBC News ranks the top ten grocery chains in the country in "Dateline's Supermarket Sweep." This extensive investigation of sanitary and other health-related conditions is based on "Dateline's" analysis of health inspection reports of hundreds of supermarkets across the country, many of them owned by major food chains. "Dateline's" consumer correspondent, Lea Thompson, reports in the hidden camera investigation, airing this Sunday, Jan. 22 (7:00 PM, ET).

In "Dateline's Supermarket Sweep," the broadcast investigates 1,000 stores nationwide and travels to 18 grocery stores across the country whose health inspection reports indicate they had a history of critical violations. The full report will rank the following food chains (listed here alphabetically): Albertsons, Costco, Food Lion, Kroger, Publix, Safeway, Sam's Club, Save-A-Lot, Wal-Mart and Winn Dixie.

David Corvo is the executive producer of "Dateline NBC."