Find Heart-Check Certified Foods in the Grocery Store

How can I find healthy foods at the grocery store?

Finding healthy options when shopping is easier than you think. Just look for the Heart-Check mark on foods and beverages every time you shop.

The Heart-Check mark makes it easy to spot heart-healthy foods in the grocery store. Simply look for the name of the American Heart Association along with our familiar red heart with a white check mark on the package. But not all heart-healthy claims you see are from the American Heart Association; look for the American Heart Association name to be sure. When you spot the American Heart Association’s Heart-Check mark, you'll instantly know the food has been certified to meet our nutrition requirements. It's a good first step in creating an overall sensible eating plan.

A research study finds that choosing foods that meet Heart-Check certification requirements linked to better diet quality.

How do I make a healthy grocery list?

Create a healthy grocery list using Heart-Check’s digital grocery list tool. This tool will allow you to search for Heart-Check certified foods, create a grocery list, print or email your list as needed, and check off items as you find them! This tool is updated regularly to provide you with the most current list of Heart-Check certified foods. It can help you identify healthier foods to add to your shopping list including fruits, vegetables, nuts, cereals, lean meats, deli meats, poultry, fish and more.

Heart-Check Digital Grocery List Tool

The Heart-Check Mark Certification Program certifies products under 10 different health claims in 13 categories. Each category encompasses its own set of nutritional criteria where products are screened for fat, saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, sodium, beneficial nutrients (vitamin A, vitamin C, iron, calcium, fiber and protein), and in some cases added sugar.

If your favorite food or beverage isn’t listed, contact the manufacturer and encourage them to become Heart-Check certified! For food companies, Heart-Check certification is a great way to let shoppers know that your foods can be part of a heart-healthy dietary pattern.

All certified products meet Heart-Check Food Certification Program Nutrition Requirements.

If you have questions about the Grocery List, please contact the Heart-Check Mark Food Certification Program.

The American Heart Association Heart-Check Food Certification Program is designed to help consumers make informed choices about the foods they purchase. The nutrition requirements are food-based and intended for healthy people over age two. The Heart-Check program is not a dietary solution for any particular condition or disease. People with medical conditions or dietary restrictions should follow the advice of their healthcare professionals.

If you have questions about the Heart-Check certification program or are interested in participating, please email us at [email protected] to learn more about food and beverage certification, the certification process and screening for your products.

Food manufacturers participating in the program pay administrative fees to the American Heart Association to cover program operating expenses. No donations are used to support the program.