American Pistachios Get American Heart Association Certification

The American Heart Association’s Heart-Check mark will now appear on select pistachio nuts grown and marketed by members of the American Pistachio Growers (APG).  This certification may now appear on packages and promotional materials featuring roasted and salted pistachio kernels, roasted and unsalted pistachio kernels, roasted and salted pistachios in the shell and roasted, unsalted pistachios in the shell. Since its creation in 1995, the Heart-Check Food Certification Program has helped consumers eat healthier and identify heart-healthy foods. Late last year this certification program expanded to include certain nuts, fish and other foods higher in the “better fats.” “We have always known that good things come in small packages when it comes to the nutritional benefits of pistachios,” says Judy Hirigoyen, APG’s director of global marketing.  “A one-ounce serving of pistachios, that’s about 49 nuts, has no cholesterol and contains a host of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients, in addition to seven grams of monounsaturated and four grams of polyunsaturated fats that are considered heart healthy in the context of a healthy dietary pattern.” In recent years the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) recognized that tree nuts, including pistachios, can be part of a heart-healthy diet. Pistachios will now be listed among certified products at heartcheckmark.org. American Pistachio Growers www.AmericanPistachios.org