By Zanub Saeed
The American Heart Association said that the SUBWAY food chain met with the AMA's Heart-Check Meal Certification Program nutritional criteria, and will thus receive the iconic Heart-Check logo at every chain and menu around the country. SUBWAY is the first and only fast food restaurant to have achieved this landmark.
All of the American Heart Association's Heart-Checks will be featured on SUBWAY's Fresh Fit meals, as well as those six-inch sandwiches catered to children, along with a side of water and apple slices, said SUBWAY in a press release issued Monday.
"Being the first restaurant to meet the stringent nutritional standards required for the American Heart Association's Heart-Check Certification program is another health milestone for SUBWAY Restaurants," Tony Pace, Sr. Vice President, Global Chief Marketing Officer of the SUBWAY Brand, said for the press release. "The Heart-Check reinforces our leadership as a healthy food option for the many Americans who want a simple way to enjoy eating better."
In order to meet the criteria for the AMA, the foods served at SUBWAY must remain at minimal levels of sodium, calories, cholesterol, and saturated fat and trans-fat for their health-conscious consumers. All sandwiches and food must, according to the press release, be made in a way that is approved by the Heart-Check it received.
The SUBWAY chain is also a supporter of the American Heart Association's My Heart My Life healthy-living program, and sponsors the Jump Rope for Heart, Hoops for Heart, and Heart Walks initiatives across the country.
"From providing better-for-you options, such as the Fresh Fit Meals, to our continued efforts to identify areas to improve our products, like reducing sodium across the board and fortifying our bread with calcium and vitamin D, our commitment to providing great tasting foods, which can be incorporated into a healthier lifestyle, is steadfast," Lanette Kovachi, Corporate Dietitian for the SUBWAY restaurant brand, was quoted as stating for the press release.
"We know we stand apart from others in the QSR industry for our leadership in these areas and we look to keep this momentum going as we move forward and push the nutritional profiles of our food further."
