U.S. Bars Heart Assn. Meat or Poultry Seal

The Agriculture Department has barred the use of an American Heart Assn. seal of approval on any food product containing meat or poultry, the heart association said Tuesday.

“Although we share the desire to provide information to consumers that enables them to make informed food choices, we are unable to approve this labeling program,” said Lester Crawford, who heads the department’s Food Safety and Inspection Service, in a letter made public by the heart association.

The association has said it plans to test several hundred foods and allow its HeartGuide seal to appear only on those low in cholesterol, fat and sodium. The seal is to begin appearing on non-meat groceries in February.