AHA Introduces Trans Fat Criteria for Heart-Check Program

DALLAS — The American Heart Association yesterday announced updated criteria for its popular Food Certification Program that includes new limits for trans fats. After Jan. 1, 2008, companies seeking to include the AHA’s heart-check mark on packages will have to demonstrate the product contains less than 0.5 grams per Reference Amount Customarily Consumed. Individual foods and meat/poultry/seafood items will have to meet additional requirements related to servings. According to officials, the new criteria apply to the two existing categories in the program: Standard and Whole Grain. Until now, the 12-year-old Food Certification Program focused primarily on saturated fats and cholesterol. The addition of trans fats criteria coincides with the AHA’s new consumer education campaign, “Face the Fats.”

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