3 More Beef Cuts Gain AHA Heart-Check Mark

DENVERThe American Heart Association, in partnership with the Beef Checkoff Program, has added three more fresh beef cuts to its Food Certification Program that allows the association's Heart-Check mark to be displayed on food packages to help consumers identify foods that meet criteria for saturated fat and cholesterol.

Select grade cuts of Sirloin Tip Steak, Bottom Round Steak and Top Sirloin Stir-Fry now meet the American Heart Association's criteria for extra lean and are certified to display the Heart-Check mark. This certification allows retailers to display the Heart-Check mark on fresh case beef packages, promoting the health benefits of a serving of these particular beef cuts to their customers. In 2011, select grade cuts of Boneless Top Sirloin Petite Roast, Top Sirloin Filet and Top Sirloin Kabob were certified to display the Heart-Check mark.

Having the American Heart Association certify three additional extra-lean beef cuts is yet another important milestone in the beef checkoffs efforts to help consumers understand the positive health and nutritional benefits of beef," said Jeanne Harland, beef producer from Illinois and chairman of the checkoff's Nutrition and Health Subcommittee. Using strong science-based guidelines and criteria, the American Heart Association has now certified six different beef cuts, and we will continue to support and apply scientific evidence to show consumers how they can eat healthfully with extra-lean beef."

Nearly 75% of shoppers say the Heart-Check mark improves the likelihood that theyll buy a product and boosts incremental sales an average of 5% when point-of-sale materials are used to promote certified products.

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans and leading health organizations, including the American Heart Association, recognize lean meat as a nutritious food and a single serving of lean meat can be  part of a healthy diet and lifestyle.

Independent research and this certification from the American Heart Association confirms to consumers that extra-lean beef can be a building block in an overall heart-healthy diet," said Cheryl Hendricks, a registered dietitian with the National Cattlemens Beef Association, contractor for the Beef Checkoff Program. We know that consumers are looking to retailers as a trusted source of nutrition information. Displaying the American Heart Association Heart-Check mark in the meat case makes it easier for consumers to identify heart-healthy extra-lean beef and as a result, grow beef sales among health-conscious shoppers."