health guides

Have you noticed the American Heart Association’s Heart-Check badge on your favourite snack, or the Certified Humane stamp on your breakfast food packages? These non-government, third-party-authorized labels quickly tell you that a bag of almonds or a carton of eggs meets certain standards. To keep you in the know, here are the stories behind three new stamps:

• Good Housekeeping “Nutritionist Approved.” This seal means products are approved by Jaclyn London, nutrition director of the Good Housekeeping Institute. To qualify, products have to align with the 2015–2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans and get passing grades on three standards: simplicity (accessible, healthy food with fewer ingredients/additives than comparable products), transparency (product claims and contents are authentic and not misleading), and innovation (uses up-to-date technologies and more sustainable practices than comparable products).
• 50%+ Whole Grain. Inspired by the 2015–2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans’ recommendation that half your grains be whole grains, this seal marks products made with at least 50% whole grains.
• Certified Transitional. This badge is for products transitioning from conventional growing techniques to certified organic ones. Ideally, identifying companies making the expensive, three-year switch will encourage consumers to support them and make it easier for more companies to go organic.

Source: Washington Post