What is required for a food to get the heart health approval seal?
The American Heart Association established its Food Certification Program in 1995 to provide consumers a quick, easy way to identify heart-healthy foods. Foods displaying the heart-check mark are evaluated to make sure they meet the program's standards.
To meet the standards, a product has to meet all of the following requirements for a single serving.
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Low fat (less than or equal to 3 grams).
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Low saturated fat (less than or equal to 1 gram).
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Low cholesterol (less than or equal to 20 milligrams).
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Have a sodium value of less than or equal to 480 milligrams for individual foods.
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Finally, it must contain at least 10 percent of the Daily Value of one or more of these nutrients: protein, vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, iron or dietary fiber.
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Meats must meet the standard for extra lean to be eligible for the heart-check mark.
For more information on health claims and labeling visit:
Shop Smart With Heart:
AHA Food Certification Program
FDA Consumer Magazine (November-December 1998)