FDA Ruling Limits Which Foods Can Be Labeled ‘Healthy’ on Packaging
The Food and Drug Administration is changing the way food companies can claim their products are “healthy.” Fortified white bread is out, and fatty fish like salmon is in.
What Foods Qualify as ‘Healthy’?
Most everything in the grocer’s produce section — whole fruits and vegetables — would qualify under the new rule issued Thursday. Other nutrient-rich foods, such as whole grains, dairy, eggs, beans, lentils, seafood, lean meat, nuts, and seeds also pass the test as long as they have limited added sugar, salt, and saturated fat. Frozen and canned fruits and vegetables are also included in the new “healthy” category.
Previous Rule was Flawed
The previous rule set in 1994 had a cap on total fat, which excluded products with heart-healthy fat, such as avocados. Products could also qualify if they had at least 10% of the daily value for certain vitamins, calcium, iron, protein, or fiber. However, manufacturers found a loophole. “That led companies to fortify junk food and call them healthy,” said Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian, a cardiologist and director of the Food is Medicine Institute at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University.
New Rule Eliminates Loophole
The new regulation eliminates this criteria. Products that can no longer claim to be healthy include fortified white bread and highly sweetened yogurts and cereals.
Impact on Consumers
The changes won’t happen overnight. The FDA has given companies until 2028 to comply. However, shifting away from the nutrient-centric approach is good for consumers, experts said. “Now, people will be able to look for the ‘healthy’ claim to help them find foundational, nutritious foods for themselves and their families,” FDA Commissioner Robert Califf wrote in a media statement.
How is ‘Healthy’ Defined?
One impetus for changing how “healthy” is defined occurred in 2015, when the FDA sent a warning letter to the makers of Kind fruit and nut snack bars. The company, the FDA said, couldn’t claim their bars were healthy because they contained too many calories and saturated fat.
A Focus on Healthy Dietary Patterns
The FDA is working on a healthy symbol that companies can add to packaging. Nutrition labels currently in use have not been shown to make a difference in consumers’ awareness of nutrition or how well they eat. The agency says that 75% of Americans lack adequate levels of fruit and vegetables in their diet.
Conclusion
The FDA’s new rule aims to give consumers more confidence when shopping for healthy food options. The change is a step in the right direction, allowing consumers to make informed choices about their diets. However, experts warn that relying too heavily on the “healthy” label may not be the best approach, as dietary needs are specific to each individual.
FAQs
* What does the new rule change mean for consumers?
The new rule changes the criteria for which foods can be labeled “healthy.” It eliminates the previous rule’s focus on total fat and instead looks at the types of fat, sugar, and salt in the food.
* What are the benefits of the new rule?
The new rule aims to give consumers more confidence when shopping for healthy food options and may motivate food manufacturers to develop new, healthier products.
* How long will it take for companies to comply with the new rule?
The FDA has given companies until 2028 to comply with the new rule.
* What is the next step for the FDA?
The FDA is working on a healthy symbol that companies can add to packaging, as well as a rule to put key nutritional information on the front of packages.
