In a significant move to update the nation’s food labeling standards, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has finalized rules defining “healthy” nutrient content claims on food packaging.
The FDA reports that only about 5% of foods currently qualify for the “healthy” label under existing regulations.
The updated rules are set to take effect in 2025. The changes are voluntary, and, according to CNN, companies will have three years to comply before using the “healthy” label.
The FDA explained that this is part of the agency’s broader effort to combat rising rates of chronic diseases, including obesity, heart disease, and diabetes.
Stricter Criteria for “Healthy” Labeling
Under its new rules, the FDA says “healthy” foods must contain a certain quantity of food from at least one food group or subgroup “such as fruit, vegetables, grains, fat-free and low-fat dairy and protein foods” recommended by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025, and limit nutrients linked to health risks, such as saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars.
According to the FDA, a “fruit product,” for instance, cannot be healthy if a 1/2 cup equivalent exceeds 2% daily value (DV) or 1 gram of sugar. The same is true for vegetables. These changes are designed to align with dietary research and guidelines that link high levels of these nutrients to hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. In a further effort to help consumers identify healthy foods, the FDA also plans to introduce a “healthy” symbol or graphic, which manufacturers can use on qualifying products.
Expanded Range of “Healthy” Foods
The FDA's updated criteria extend the “healthy” label to a broader range of foods, including categories that were previously excluded, such as certain oils and water. CNN reports that even canned vegetables can now qualify for the label.
On the flip side, some foods previously allowed to use the "healthy" claim will now be ineligible, like “fortified white bread” and “highly sweetened" yogurts and cereals.
Notably, the new guidelines will permit foods such as salmon, nuts, and olive oil to carry the “healthy” label, aligning with increasing recognition of the health benefits of these nutrient-dense, plant-based, and omega-rich foods.
Industry Reaction and Concerns
Although these updates aim to support consumer health, they have sparked significant debate within the food industry. The Consumer Brands Association voiced concerns that the FDA’s initial proposal was "overly restrictive" and could disqualify a “vast majority of nutrient-dense packaged foods” from using the "healthy" claim.
Scott Faber, senior vice president of government affairs for the Environmental Working Group, stated that, “The FDA’s updated rule is a long-overdue step forward, but it’s not enough.” Faber said it falls short, “particularly in allowing food products with harmful food chemicals and ultra-processed ingredients to be labeled as ‘healthy.’”
According to Business Insider, Peter Lurie, a former FDA official currently serving as executive director of the nonprofit advocacy group, Center for Science in the Public Interest, challenged critics, stating “If the incoming administration is truly serious about making Americans eat healthier, then they should embrace the power of food labeling.”
For more information on the FDA's final rule regarding the “healthy” nutrient content claim, visit Economic Impact Analysis, FDA's Constituent Updates, and the Consumer Update on Healthy Foods.
Sources:
https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/fresh-take-what-healthy-means-food-packages
https://www.sciencealert.com/fda-rewrites-rules-of-healthy-foods-for-first-time-in-30-years
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/19/health/fda-healthy-foods-label.html
https://www.cnn.com/2024/12/19/health/healthy-food-label-fda-update/index.html
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2024/12/19/fda-healthy-food-label-new-rrules/77088086007/
https://www.businessinsider.com/fda-new-definition-of-healthy-label-nutrient-content-2024-12
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