NAOOA’s American Heart Association’s Heart Check® Program

NAOOA has teamed up with the American Heart Association (AHA) to make it easier and more affordable for members to use the AHA’s Heart-Check mark on their olive oil products.

To qualify for this certification, a food product’s nutrition profile must meet the AHA’s category-specific nutrition requirements and comply with federal regulations for coronary heart disease health claims. 

Consumer research shows that “the AHA is the authority most trusted by consumers to decide if a product may display a nutrition message or mark.”

Olive oil is recognized by the FDA and the American Heart Association as a heart-healthy fat due to its high content of monounsaturated fat. The FDA recommends consuming 2 tablespoons of olive oil daily in place of saturated fat. [1]

Recent studies published by the Journal of the American Medical Association assert the health benefits of both extra virgin and regular olive oil. According to these studies, consumption of olive oil correlates to a reduced risk of stroke[2], heart disease [3] and diabetes[4]. One of the main reasons is that the fat found in olive oil is a monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA). Polyunsaturated fat, along with MUFAs, has been found to lower the risk of CHD. MUFAs may also help normalize blood clotting and benefit insulin levels and blood sugar control, which can be especially helpful if you have type-2 diabetes.[5]

The heart-healthy benefits of olive oil have been recognized by the FDA and olive oil is certified by the American Heart Association as a Heart-Healthy Food.

Olive oil's heart benefits have been recognized by the FDA and olive oil is certified by the American Hearth Association as a Heart-Healthy Food.

PARTICIPATING COMPANIES

The following NAOOA member brands are participating in the Heart-Check Program. Look for their products carrying the Heart-Check in stores.

* Heart-Check certification does not apply to information or links unless expressly stated.

Footnotes:

1. FDA Docket No. 2003Q-0559 (11/01/2004) 
2. JAMA Intern Med. (2015) Mediterranean Diet and Age-Related Cognitive Decline: A Randomized Clinical Trial. By C. Valls-Pedret, A. Sala-Vila, M. Serra-Mir, et al.
3.  JAMA (2004) Effect of a Mediterranean-Style Diet on Endothelial Dysfunction and Markers of Vascular Inflammation in the Metabolic Syndrome: A Randomized Trial. By K. Esposito, R. Marfella, M. Ciotola M, et al.
4. JAMA (2013) Mediterranean Diet May Reduce Stroke Risk in Individuals With Genetic Predisposition to Diabetes. By: M.Mitka
5. Mayo Clinic, What are MUFAs, and should I include them in my diet? By Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D.

Last updated: 4/03/24