Packaged foods in the U.S. will now have to adhere to updated rules in order to be labeled as 'healthy,' as per the recent changes finalized by the Food and Drug Administration. This revision marks a significant update to the agency's definition, which was originally established three decades ago. The primary objective of these changes is to assist Americans in making informed choices at the grocery store that align with federal dietary guidelines, with the ultimate goal of reducing rates of diet-related chronic diseases, as stated by the FDA.
According to the new rule, products claiming to be 'healthy' must contain a specified amount of food from various food groups such as fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy, and protein. Additionally, the rule introduces specific limits for added sugars, sodium, and saturated fats, varying based on the type of product. This means that certain items like sugary cereals, highly sweetened yogurts, white bread, and some granola bars will no longer qualify for the 'healthy' label, while foods like avocados, olive oil, salmon, eggs, and certain trail mixes will be eligible. Even water can now be labeled as 'healthy,' according to the FDA.
