According to the Center for Science in the Public Interest, the FDA revised the definition of “healthy.” Foods must provide at least 10% of the Daily Value (DV) for vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, iron, protein, and fiber. However, the existing definition has limits for cholesterol, total fat, saturated fat, and sodium. According to the FDA, approximately 15% of products meet the current definition of “healthy,” with less than 5% actually carrying the claim. The government also expects that after the reforms are completed, only 4% of items in grocery stores will have the claim.

The nonprofit nutrition and food safety watchdog group applauded the FDA’s new sensible added sugar restrictions and new minimum quantities of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, dairy, and protein in products. Water and no- or low-calorie carbonated water would also be considered healthy beverages under the plan. CSPI told the FDA in comments submitted today that the proposal might be enhanced by tightening the whole grain, fruit, and vegetable standards, and by guaranteeing that phrases like wholesome, nutritious, and heart-healthy be deemed implied “healthy” claims.

In addition to focusing on upgrading the parameters for making voluntary healthy claims on foods, the FDA should prioritize a more effective intervention: mandating front-of-package nutrition labels that inform consumers when an item is high in sodium, added sugars, or saturated fat. While the FDA’s proposed definition of healthy is an improvement, the phrase is best understood as a marketing claim, and a voluntary one at that, according to CSPI senior policy scientist Eva Greenthal. The FDA should prioritize obligatory steps to guarantee that companies convey both the nutritional benefits and disadvantages of their goods.

CSPI, the Association of SNAP Nutrition Education Administrators, and the Association of State Public Health Nutritionists petitioned the FDA in August to create a front-of-package nutrition labeling system. The Biden administration suggested in September that it will prioritize front-of-package nutrition labeling as part of its National Strategy on Nutrition, Hunger, and Health, which was announced in preparation for a historic White House conference on those themes.

Front of package labeling:

Front-of-package nutrition labeling can increase customer knowledge and promote healthy eating habits. The nutrient labels highlighting excess levels of over-consumed nutrients have been particularly helpful in encouraging consumers to choose healthier foods. Moreover, several countries have previously implemented interpretative front-of-package nutrition labeling, including Canada, Mexico, Chile, and others.

Sugar consumption fell by more than 10% after Chile implemented its octagonal, front-of-package nutrient warnings. Companies were also forced to reformulate their products as a result of the law. Chile also saw a large 7% reduction in products heavy in calories, sugar, sodium, or saturated fat across the country’s packaged food supply, with a particularly high 15% reduction in sugar-rich products.

Sugar consumption fell by more than 10% after Chile implemented its octagonal, front-of-package nutrient warnings. Companies were also forced to reformulate their products as a result of the legislation. Chile also experienced a large 7 percent reduction in products high in calories, sugar, sodium, or saturated fat across the country’s packaged food supply, with a particularly high 15 percent fall in products high in sugar.

The healthy symbol on the package:

The FDA has initiated a study on a symbol the hat industry can use voluntarily to label food products that fulfill the proposed “healthy” standard. Symbols may be especially useful for persons with limited nutrition knowledge in identifying foods that can form the basis of healthy eating habits.

What are the benefits?

Heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, cancer, overweight, and obesity are among the top causes of death. Changing the definition of healthy is a step towards giving the public knowledge that will assist them in identifying dietary choices that can help reduce diet-related chronic diseases and advance health equity. This may result in more healthy foods on the market if certain producers choose to reformulate or make items that satisfy the new definition.

What you can do?

Eat a variety of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lower-fat dairy, protein meals, and healthy oils to make healthier dietary choices for yourself and your family. Reduce your intake of saturated fat, salt, and added sweets. To acquire information on specific nutrients and compare food products, look at the Nutrition Facts label on packaged foods. You can choose foods that have more of the nutrients you want to consume more of and less of the ones you want to limit by looking at the % Daily Value.