The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced the finalization of its updated “healthy” nutrient content claim, a pivotal step aimed at empowering consumers to make better dietary choices and fostering a healthier food supply. The final rule aligns with modern nutrition science and the latest Dietary Guidelines for Americans, marking a significant milestone in promoting health equity and combating diet-related chronic diseases.
This updated claim enables food manufacturers to voluntarily label their products as “healthy” if they meet the new criteria, offering a quick and easy way for consumers to identify foods foundational to healthy eating patterns. The move complements broader FDA initiatives, such as front-of-package labeling and sodium reduction, as outlined in the White House National Strategy on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health.
Under the new rule, a product must meet the following conditions to carry the “healthy” label:
For example, a cereal labeled “healthy” must include a required amount of whole grains and meet the limits for saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars. Foods like nuts, seeds, higher-fat fish (e.g., salmon), certain oils, and even water, which were previously excluded, now qualify under the updated guidelines. Additionally, affordable options like certain peanut butters and canned fruits and vegetables also meet the criteria.
Manufacturers have been given a three-year period to comply with the new standards, although they may start adopting the updated criteria immediately.
In a related effort, the FDA is exploring the development of a standardized symbol for food packaging to indicate products meeting the “healthy” criteria. This symbol could further simplify decision-making for consumers by providing a visual cue for identifying foods that support a balanced diet.
Diet-related chronic diseases remain a leading cause of death and disability in the U.S., with a disproportionate impact on certain racial and ethnic minorities and those with lower socioeconomic status. By encouraging manufacturers to reformulate products to meet the updated “healthy” claim criteria, the FDA aims to create a more equitable food environment and reduce the prevalence of diseases such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and obesity.
To provide clarity on the updated rule and answer questions, the FDA will host a stakeholder webinar in the near future. Details about the webinar will be shared soon.
For more information on the updated “healthy” claim and the FDA’s broader initiatives, visit the FDA’s website.