What is the Heart Foundation Tick?

The Heart Foundation Tick is a self-funded, public health Program.

Since 1989 the Tick Program has been challenging food companies to reformulate and produce healthier products for the supermarket shelves and highlighting those healthier choices using the Tick so that they are quick and easy for shoppers to spot without being a nutrition expert.

In August 2006 the Tick Program was introduced to everyday meals eaten out for lunch or dinner.

In general, Tick approved foods and meals must meet strict standards for saturated fat, trans fat, salt and where appropriate, kilojoules. In some categories we test for fibre and/or vegetable content.

There may be other healthier foods, but only those carrying the Heart Foundation Tick can be guaranteed to have been independently tested and to have met our strict standards.

Today, there are around 100 companies in the Program and around 1200 foods available with the Tick. In August, with the introduction of Tick on everyday meals eaten out, this number will increase even further, meaning Tick will have an even greater effect on the food supply and the health of Australians.

The Heart Foundation now wishes to share with you that McDonald’s Australia has earned the Tick for nine of its meals. McDonald’s now joins Qantas to offer Australians guaranteed healthier meal choices with the Tick Program.

McDonald’s opened itself up to Heart Foundation scrutiny and has spent more than 12 months reformulating foods including core menu items; taste testing; developing and testing procedures; and training 56,000 restaurant staff. 

The result is nine Tick approved meals that contain less than two per cent saturated fat, virtually no trans fat, at least one serve (75g) of vegetables and provide less than a third of your daily energy needs. 

For more information on McDonalds receiving the Tick, click on the links below

- McDonald’s Australia earns Heart Foundation Tick on nine meals - Media Release, 7th Feb 2007

- The Tick Impact - comparison of McDonalds meals

- Four steps to earn the Tick

- The Tick program FAQ's