When the Heart-Check mark is on the label, you can be confident that it represents the science and credibility of the nation’s leader in heart health. In fact, that’s what makes the Heart-Check mark one of the most trusted and recognized nutrition symbols. Foods bearing the mark are building blocks that make it easier for you to construct a heart-healthy eating plan. The Heart-Check Food Certification Program’s nutrition requirements for certifications are based on the sound science of the American Heart Association regarding healthy dietary recommendations including food categories, specific product ingredients and nutrient values.

So, what exactly does this mean to the average shopper? It means that, when you see the Heart-Check mark on a package, you know that product and the company who makes it has gone through a strict vetting and certification process to ensure that the food you take home is nutritionally balanced and truly a part of a heart-healthy diet. First, the company itself must be approved to participate in the Heart-Check program, then their products are evaluated according to the American Heart Association’s nutritional guidelines. These include sodium and cholesterol content, trans and other fat percentages, vitamin content, sugar content, and many others. These are tailored to the kind of food as well; for instance, a piece of fish will have different standards than a box of cereal.

If a product meets all these requirements, then it can officially be called a Heart-Check certified product! But it doesn’t end there – companies must regularly renew their certifications, meaning that you know any product baring a Heart-Check mark really is as good for you as the company claims it is. This week at Oliver’s, we’ve combed through our aisles to find some products that considered heart-healthy classics and some that are new favorites, all of them bearing the Heart-Check mark! Check it out for yourself, we know you’ll ♥ them all!