FDA Updates “Healthy” Foods Definition
New Requirements for Food Manufacturers
Packaged foods in the U.S. will have to follow new rules in order to call themselves “healthy,” according to changes finalized Thursday by the Food and Drug Administration. The update is an improvement from the agency’s original definition devised 30 years ago, aimed at helping Americans navigate food labels at the grocery store and make choices that are aligned with federal dietary guidelines, in hopes of reducing rates of diet-related chronic disease.
Requirements for “Healthy” Food Labels
Under the new rule, products that claim to be “healthy” must:
* Contain a certain amount of food from one or more food groups, such as fruit, vegetables, grains, dairy, and protein
* Meet certain limits for added sugars
* Limit sodium and saturated fat at levels dependent on the type of product
Foods That Will No Longer Claim to be “Healthy”
The change will banish foods such as sugary cereals, highly sweetened yogurts, white bread, and some granola bars from bearing a “healthy” label.
Foods That Will Continue to Claim to be “Healthy”
On the other hand, foods such as avocados, olive oil, salmon, eggs, and some trail mix will continue to use the “healthy” label. Even water can now be labeled as healthy, according to the agency.
Praise for the Update from Experts
Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian, director of the Food is Medicine Institute at Tufts University, called the change a “huge improvement” that acknowledges the progress made in dietary and nutrition knowledge over the past three decades. The new rule is seen as a much-needed update to “horribly outdated” guidance.
Criticism from Food Industry
The Consumer Brands Association, a food industry trade group, expressed concerns that the new rule “stands to exclude some packaged foods, despite countless years of industry innovation to provider healthier options.” The group also claims that the rule is not based on clear and unambiguous scientific evidence and fails to fully consider the full potential economic impact on consumers.
Data Driven Approach
The updated criteria are based on data that aims to improve public health, including diet-related chronic ailments such as heart disease and diabetes. The FDA emphasized that more than three-quarters of Americans have diets low in vegetables, fruit, and dairy, and that nearly 80% exceed limits on saturated fat, more than 60% exceed limits on added sugars, and about 90% exceed limits on sodium that can reduce chronic disease.
Timing and Implementation
The new rule will take effect within two months, and food manufacturers will have until February 2028 to comply. The FDA is still developing a label that designates certain foods as healthy.
Conclusion
The FDA’s update to the definition of “healthy” foods marks a significant improvement in efforts to promote healthier eating habits and reduce the risk of diet-related chronic disease. While some may criticize the new rule, the emphasis on data-driven criteria and the acknowledgement of progress in dietary and nutrition knowledge offer a promising approach to food labeling.
Frequently Asked Questions
* What will happen to food manufacturers who do not comply with the new rule?
+ Food manufacturers who do not comply with the new rule will be subject to FDA enforcement actions, including legal action and potential fines and penalties.
* Will foods that are currently labeled as healthy need to be relabeled?
+ Yes, foods that are currently labeled as healthy will need to be relabeled to reflect the new criteria.
* How will the new rule affect food prices?
+ The impact of the new rule on food prices is unclear, but experts predict that prices may rise for some foods that must meet the new criteria, while others may see costs decrease as they reformulate their products.
