All About the Good Housekeeping Nutritionist Approved Emblem
The Good Housekeeping Nutritionist Approved Emblem (GHNA) was developed to help consumers lead healthier lives by empowering them to make informed food choices. Not only does the GHNA provide a solution for those looking to be more health-conscious, but the products we select are also practical and evoke the tried-and-tested assurance of the Good Housekeeping brand in the food space.
The Nutrition Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute is housed on the 29th floor of Hearst Tower in New York City. Led by GH's registered dietitian nutritionist Stefani Sassos, M.S., R.D.N., C.D.N., the Lab rigorously analyzes and assesses food products to see whether they meet the standards for the GHNA. Products are vetted based on specific nutritional criteria as well as taste and we also take simplicity, convenience and transparency into account.
GHNA Screening Tool & Eligibility Criteria
Items with the GH Nutritionist Approved Emblem must meet nutrition criteria informed by the latest evidence-based nutrition authoritative guidance from the 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The emblem encourages consumers to make more nutritious food choices in their everyday lives and supports a shift to healthier food and beverage choices.
The emblem utilizes evidence-based criteria to promote consuming more produce, whole grains, fat-free or low-fat dairy products, nuts, seeds, legumes, lean proteins and heart-healthy oils while limiting added sugars, saturated fats, trans fats and sodium. The goal is to help individuals make improved food choices that promote long and short-term health and help reduce the risk of chronic diseases. We also appreciate innovations and food products that make it easy to adopt healthier food-related habits. The evidence-based nutrition criteria are broken down by food groups:
Fruit
Fresh, frozen or dried: unsweetened, no added sugar
Canned in water or canned without syrup/any form of added sugar
Vegetables
Fresh or frozen: unsweetened, no added sugar
Canned with 140 mg sodium or less per serving
Vegetable-based soups (can or Tetra Pak): 500 mg sodium or less per serving, must provide one or more servings of vegetables
Protein
Seafood
Fresh or frozen, preferably wild-caught or sustainably farmed
Canned wild salmon or white albacore tuna (preferably wild) in water or olive oil only
For pouches, first ingredient must be seafood. Per serving: 150 calories or less, 1 g saturated fat or less, 360 mg sodium or less, 3 g sugar or less, 13 g protein or more
Fish sold at specialty retailers and mass market retailers able to demonstrate traceability/origin of product
Meats & Poultry
Lean meats and poultry as defined by the USDA/FDA dietary guidelines that contain less than 10 g of fat, 4.5 g or less of saturated fats and less than 95 mg of cholesterol per 100g and per labeled serving size (e.g., 95% lean ground beef, pork tenderloin and skinless chicken or turkey breast)
Preferably organic, no antibiotics ever, no hormones added and vegetarian-fed
Processed meats and processed poultry (e.g., sausages, luncheon meats, bacon and beef jerky) or products preserved by smoking, curing, salting and/or the addition of chemical preservatives are not eligible for GHNA
Eggs
Free-range or pasture-raised, preferably organic
For cage-free, high-quality feed is required
Nuts, Seeds & Soy Products
Raw or roasted nuts/seeds with 140 mg sodium or less per serving
For nut butters, first ingredient must be raw or roasted nuts/seeds. Per 2 Tbsp: 200 calories or less; 200 mg sodium or less; 3 g fiber or more; 4g sugar or less; 6g protein or more
For trail mix, first ingredient must be raw or roasted nuts/seeds. Per serving: <140 mg sodium, 8g added sugar or less
For veggie burgers/vegetarian meat alternatives, the first ingredient must be a whole food (e.g.: vegetables, beans, whole grains, sweet potato, peas, edamame). Per serving: 5 g saturated fat or less, 400 mg sodium or less.
Products that contain soy protein isolate or soy protein concentrate in their ingredient lists are not eligible for GHNA.
Legumes (Beans & Peas)
Fresh/dried or canned with 140 mg of sodium or less per serving
For roasted legume snacks or legume-based dips (roasted chickpeas, hummus, flavored or unflavored), the first ingredient must be a legume. Per serving: 200 calories or less, 2.5 g saturated fat or less, 240 mg sodium or less, 3 g fiber or more, 4 g protein or more.
Dairy
Plain dairy products (yogurt, milk, kefir)
Flavored yogurts, per serving: 150 calories or less, 8 g added sugars or less; 9 g protein or more
Low-fat or fat-free cottage cheese, per 1/2 cup: 100 calories or less, 240 mg sodium or less per serving, 8 g added sugars or less
Low-fat or fat-free cheese, per 1 oz: 100 calories or less, 240 mg sodium or less, 6 g protein or more
Grains
100% whole grain products
Breads must have 100% whole grain as the first ingredient. Per slice: 100 calories or less, 1 g saturated fat or less, 140 mg sodium or less, 3 g fiber or more, 3 g protein or more, no added sugar
Griddle cakes (2 waffles, pancakes, french toast slices) must have 100% whole grain as the first ingredient. Per serving: 200 calories or less, 1 g saturated fat or less, 240 mg sodium or less, 3 g fiber or more, 8 g added sugar or less, 3 g protein or more
English muffins/waffles/bagels/sandwich thins must have 100% whole grain as the first ingredient. Per serving: 200 calories or less, 240 mg sodium or less, 3 g fiber or more, 3 g protein or more
Cold cereal must have 100% whole grain or whole-food source as the first ingredient. Per 1 cup: 240 mg sodium or less; 5 g fiber or more; 8 g added sugar or less; 4 g protein or more
Hot cereal must have 100% whole grain or whole-food source as the first ingredient. Per 45 g standard serving size of instant packets or cups: 3 g fiber or more; 8 g added sugar or less
Granola must have 100% whole grain or whole-food source as the first ingredient. Per 1/3-1/2 cup: 250 calories or less, 3 g fiber or more, 8 -10 g added sugar or less (depends on serving size), 240 mg sodium or less, 4 g protein or more
Frozen muffins must have either 100% whole-grain, vegetable or fruit as the first ingredient. Per muffin: 150 calories or less, 240 mg sodium or less, 3 g fiber or more, 8 g added sugar or less
Snack bars must have a whole-food source as the first ingredient (e.g.: 100% whole grain, nut, seed, fruit, vegetable, legume/pulse). Per serving: 250 calories or less, 2 g saturated fat or less, 5 g fiber or more, 8 g added sugar or less, 4 g protein or more
Crackers and chips must have a whole-food source as the first ingredient (e.g.: 100% whole grain, nut, seed, fruit, vegetable, legume/pulse). Per serving: 250 calories or less, 2 g saturated fat or less, 300 mg sodium or less, 3 g fiber or more, 4 g added sugar or less, 3 g protein or more
Popcorn must have a first ingredient of popcorn, preferably non-GMO. Per 4 cups popped: 300 mg sodium or less, 2 g saturated fat or less, 3 g fiber or more
Prepared/frozen complete meals must be per serving: 500 calories or less, 5 g saturated fat or less, 600 mg sodium or less, 3 g fiber or more, 8 g protein or more
Beverages
Unsweetened beverages including tea, coffee, seltzer/club soda (including those with caffeine), kombucha
For plant-based milk, first ingredient must be a whole food such as a nut or grain. Per 1 cup serving: 100 calories or less, 200mg sodium or less, 8g added sugar or less
A Note on Product Claims
Given the influx of various “fad diets” and nutrition misinformation in the media, the Good Housekeeping Nutritionist Approved Emblem does not endorse items with misleading marketing or that make unsubstantiated claims. Products that identify with a particular fad diet or unsubstantiated claim, as denoted on packaging will not qualify for the emblem.
Products in which added sugar by any name (e.g.: brown sugar, corn sweetener, corn syrup, high-fructose corn syrup, honey, invert sugar, lactose, malt syrup, maltose, molasses, raw sugar, turbinado sugar, etc.) is the first ingredient are not eligible for GHNA. Additionally, products that say “naturally sweetened,” “no sugar added,” “no high-fructose corn-syrup,” “no artificial ingredients,” or “no artificial sweeteners,” while using other forms of sweeteners, sodium, saturated fat and emulsifiers will not qualify for the emblem.
Any product that contains “natural flavors” in the ingredients list is required to provide a list/analysis of what these natural flavors consist of to help determine whether it qualifies for the emblem. Products that contain trans fat, partially hydrogenated or hydrogenated oils are not eligible for GHNA. Certain emulsifiers and stabilizers are prohibited as well. Additionally, unlike the GH Seal Program, GHNA products are not backed by a warranty because the GHNA is for the purpose of consumer education.
GHNA Product Submission
A product that aims to earn the GHNA emblem must be submitted to the Good Housekeeping Institute (GHI) and is evaluated by our registered dietitian and the team in our Nutrition Lab. Evaluation of the product includes reviewing the nutrition facts label and the ingredient list to see whether they meet the GHNA criteria, validating any packaging and marketing claims (no artificial flavors, non-GMO, etc,) and conducting taste tests with consumers. If appropriate, additional testing, such as sending the product to a third-party food analysis lab to verify nutritional information, may be conducted by our experts. Companies are asked to provide full documentation and substantiation for any claims. While some products recommended editorially may have the GHNA, not all have earned our emblem.
If you have any additional questions or would like to submit a product for GHNA, email stefani.sassos@hearst.com. Please provide the name and location of your company, the name and type of product you'd like to submit and your contact information.
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