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.
FDA Commissioner Robert Califf emphasized the importance of food being a tool for wellness, stating that enhancing access to nutrition information is a crucial public health initiative that the FDA is undertaking to help individuals establish healthy eating patterns.
The new rule is set to come into effect within two months, with food manufacturers given until February 2028 to comply. A specific label designating certain foods as 'healthy' is currently in development. Under the previous guidelines, only about 15% of products were eligible for the 'healthy' designation, and a mere 5% made the claim.
Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian, from Tufts University's Food is Medicine Institute, hailed the update as a much-needed improvement over the outdated guidance from 30 years ago, which he described as based on 40-year-old science. The revised criteria acknowledge the advancements in dietary and nutrition knowledge over the past three decades, aligning more closely with federal dietary guidelines that underpin various programs and policies.
The FDA highlighted that the updated criteria are grounded in data that could enhance public health outcomes, particularly in addressing diet-related chronic conditions such as heart disease and diabetes. The agency noted that over three-quarters of Americans have diets low in essential food groups like vegetables, fruits, and dairy, while a significant portion exceed recommended limits on saturated fats, added sugars, and sodium.
