New-Look Nutrition Icon Tags ‘Heart-Healthy’ Foods

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The American Heart Association (AHA) has introduced a fresh, new look to its nationally recognized nutrition icon—the Heart-Check mark.

More types of food can now be certified as heart-healthy, including fish and nuts, to help meet the AHA’s goal of dramatically improving the nation’s cardiovascular health.

All shoppers need to do at the grocery store is look for the familiar Heart-Check mark to find foods that make the heart-healthy grade.

“With these enhancements, the Heart-Check program will help consumers easily identify and choose even more heart-healthy foods for themselves and their families,” said Dr. Rachel Johnson, a professor of nutrition at the University of Vermont and the vice chair of the American Heart Association nutrition committee.

Foods such as salmon and unsalted, unoiled peanuts are eligible to be use the American Heart Association’s seal of approval right away. Further down the road, in 2014, products that are already certified will have time to phase in the more rigorous criteria that require even lower amounts of sodium, more fiber and fewer added sugars.

And it’s easier than ever to spot this trusted American Heart Association symbol in the grocery store. When you see the Heart-Check mark on food packaging, you’ll instantly know the food has been certified to meet the AHA guidelines for a heart-healthy food. It’s a good first step in creating an overall sensible eating plan.

Check out a list of certified products here.

Or check out this news in Spanish.