APRIL 2010

Dessert is off the menu for the American Heart Association. The AHA’s red heart checkmark symbol, introduced in 1995 as one of the first front-of-package nutrition labeling plans, will no longer be issued to desserts, and the five desserts still carrying the symbol won’t be allowed to renew their certification. The move comes as part of the heart group’s ramped-up battle against sugar (see story page 1).

To qualify for the AHA symbol, packaged foods must meet criteria for being low in saturated fat, cholesterol, trans fat, total fat and sodium, while delivering at least 10% of the Daily Value (DV) of one of six nutrients (vitamin A, vitamin C, iron, calcium, protein, dietary fiber). Labeling variations also recognize “extra lean” meats and foods high in soluble fiber or whole grains. (See .) Until now, sugar content has not been a criterion. An AHA spokesperson said that the axing of the dessert category recognizes that such sweets are a significant source of discretionary calories from added sugars.

Four Healthy Choice desserts along with The Father’s Table New York Style Cheesecake currently carry the checkmark. They can retain the symbol until their contracts with the AHA, though which they pay to use the checkmark, expire later this year.