The US food oversight agency is advancing its commitment to redefine what qualifies as “healthy” with a new ruling.
This initiative, initiated in 2022 as part of the White House’s national nutrition and health strategy, aims to simplify the process for consumers to make healthier eating choices.
Moreover, to motivate US food manufacturers to participate, the FDA is establishing clear regulations regarding what foods must include to earn a “healthy” label. Central to this effort is addressing foods high in sugar, salt, and fat, as the US government strives to decrease diet-related diseases.
On December 19, the FDA outlined the fundamental parameters but plans to host a webinar for “stakeholders” to discuss the “final rule” and answer inquiries, with a new document expected on December 27.
To be classified as healthy, foods must now meet a specified amount of nutritional components “from at least one of the food groups or subgroups” outlined in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which includes fruits, vegetables, fish, olive oil, nuts, and grains, among others, including fat-free, dairy-free, and protein options.
Additionally, the use of the healthy claim is permitted solely if products “adhere to specified limits” on saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars.
FDA commissioner Robert Califf stated: “Improving access to nutrition information is an important public health effort the FDA can undertake to help people build healthy eating patterns.”
“It is vital that we focus on the key drivers to combat chronic disease, like healthy eating. Now, people will be able to look for the ‘healthy’ claim to help them find foundational, nutritious foods for themselves and their families.”
The FDA is also developing a “healthy” symbol label for manufacturers to use on compliant products, thus providing consumers with reliable guidance.
Additionally, a proposed measure remains in progress—a front-of-pack labelling system introduced in 2022, which will feature a method akin to a star rating or traffic-light system.
The FDA announced it has “conducted consumer research” and intends to propose a rule on front-of-package nutrition labelling on food products, supporting consumers in quickly identifying foods that belong in a healthy diet. However, no specific timeline for this rule has been provided.
In the same announcement, Jim Jones, the FDA’s deputy commissioner for human foods, mentioned, “Food labelling, like ‘healthy,’ may help foster a healthier food supply if manufacturers choose to reformulate their products to meet the new definition.”
“There’s an opportunity here for industry and others to join us in making ‘healthy’ a ubiquitous, quick signal to help people more easily build nutritious diets.”
NGO and Industry Reaction
As the US looks toward Donald Trump’s potential return to the White House amidst changes under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) weighed in, commending the new healthy foods rules while addressing food manufacturers.
“Companies will no longer be allowed to market foods loaded with added sugars as ‘healthy,’” stated CSPI senior policy scientist Eva Greenthal, praising the new rule for “preventing companies from making misleading marketing claims.”
However, Greenthal remarked that it would have a “limited impact” due to the voluntary nature of healthy claims labels, urging the government to expedite the introduction of a front-of-pack labelling system.
“The need for food labeling reform is far from over. We expect the ‘healthy’ rule will have a limited impact because it only applies to those few products bearing the voluntary ‘healthy’ claim,” she cautioned.
“The most significant step the Biden administration can take to leverage food labels for public health is to publish the FDA’s proposed rule on mandatory front-of-package nutrition labelling.”
“By moving forward to require front-of-package labelling, in addition to this final rule defining ‘healthy,’ the FDA can effectively address both.”
The Consumer Brands Association expressed a degree of concern regarding the FDA’s healthy food ruling, suggesting it does not go far enough.
Sarah Gallo, the Association’s senior vice president for product policy, stated, “FDA’s update to the healthy claim on food labels stands to exclude some packaged foods, despite countless years of industry innovation to provide healthier options.”
“We remain concerned that this government regulation is not based on clear and unambiguous scientific evidence or an in-depth economic analysis that considers all potential impacts to consumers and the market while creating confusion about what food options can contribute to a healthy diet.”
