The FDA Revises the Definition of "Healthy" Food
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 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 included in the new "healthy" category.
Why the Change?
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. Manufacturers found a loophole, leading companies to fortify junk food and call them healthy. The new regulation eliminates that criteria. Products that can no longer claim to be healthy include fortified white bread and highly sweetened yogurts and cereals.
Experts’ Reactions
Nutrition experts were largely encouraged by the change. "It’s a terrific advance," 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. "For the first time, FDA will be judging foods not based on a handful of negative nutrients like calories or fat or salt, but on whether the food has healthy ingredients."
Timeline and Future Plans
The changes won’t happen overnight. The FDA has given companies until 2028 to comply. The agency is also 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.
Conclusion
The FDA’s revised definition of "healthy" food aims to help shoppers in other aisles confused by nutrition fact labels that don’t give any real-world guidance as to whether one product is better than another. The new rule encourages food manufacturers to develop new, healthier products that qualify to use the "healthy" claim.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What foods will no longer be considered "healthy" under the new rule?
A: Fortified white bread and highly sweetened yogurts and cereals.
Q: What foods will be considered "healthy" under the new rule?
A: Most everything in the grocer’s produce section, including whole fruits and vegetables, as well as whole grains, dairy, eggs, beans, lentils, seafood, lean meat, nuts, and seeds.
Q: Why is the FDA changing the definition of "healthy" food?
A: To eliminate loopholes and provide a more accurate representation of healthy foods, and to encourage food manufacturers to develop new, healthier products.
Q: When will the changes take effect?
A: The FDA has given companies until 2028 to comply with the new rule.
