American Heart Association

Uses

How it works

Interactions

Background

Evidence quality

Highlighted claims

• The food and pharmaceutical industries spent approximately $521 million between 2011 and 2012 to obtain favorable positions and endorsements from the AHA. — Coconut Oil: Debunking the "Poison" Claim
• The AHA's Heart Check Food Certification endorsement costs companies approximately $700,000 per year. — Coconut Oil: Debunking the "Poison" Claim
• The coconut oil industry did not sponsor or fund the AHA. — Coconut Oil: Debunking the "Poison" Claim
• The AHA operates a formal Industry Nutrition Forum with membership from major junk food and beverage companies including PepsiCo and General Mills. — American Heart Association, SNAP Reform, and the Junk Food Subsidy System
• The AHA sells a Heart-Check certification mark that manufacturers pay to place on their products as a signal of cardiovascular health approval. — American Heart Association, SNAP Reform, and the Junk Food Subsidy System
• The AHA sent a representative to oppose the Texas SNAP reform bill in committee, which was widely described as a surprising move for a cardiovascular disease prevention organization. — American Heart Association, SNAP Reform, and the Junk Food Subsidy System
• After its opposition generated public criticism and media attention, the AHA reversed its position and stated it was no longer opposing the Texas bill. — American Heart Association, SNAP Reform, and the Junk Food Subsidy System
• Two versions of Frosted Mini-Wheats with virtually identical carbohydrate content and ingredient lists are treated differently by the AHA certification — only one carries the seal — suggesting the distinction reflects a certification fee rather than meaningful nutritional difference. — American Heart Association, SNAP Reform, and the Junk Food Subsidy System
• The AHA's opposition to the SNAP reform bill is characterized as a direct example of junk food industry front-group deployment, not an isolated anomaly. — American Heart Association, SNAP Reform, and the Junk Food Subsidy System
• The financial asymmetry between coconut oil and industry-backed products may explain why the AHA issued a negative recommendation against coconut oil despite its long history of safe use. — Coconut Oil: Debunking the "Poison" Claim