The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a final rule to update the “healthy” claim on December 19, 2024, that manufacturers can voluntarily use on food packages. The updated claim is consistent with current nutrition science and US Federal dietary guidelines for healthier food items.
Claims like “healthy” on food labels can help consumers identify healthier food choices at a glance. According to the FDA, the foods must meet specific criteria to use the “healthy” nutrient content claim. The updated criteria for the claim replace outdated criteria for “healthy” with criteria that are consistent with current nutrition science and Federal dietary guidance.
The new FDA guidelines aim to address the issues of overnutrition and undernutrition prevailing in the world, especially in the USA which has reported unbalanced intake of the different nutritional categories.
For example, current U.S. dietary guidelines include a focus on the importance of healthy dietary patterns and the food groups that comprise them, the type of fat in the diet rather than the total amount of fat consumed, and the amount of sodium and added sugars in the diet. The updated criteria identify foods that help consumers build a healthy eating pattern.
Updated Criteria by FDA
The new FDA guidelines about a food product to be labeled ‘healthy’ need to meet a range of criteria.
Grouping and Sub-Grouping of Food Items
To claim the label, a food product needs to contain a certain amount of food from at least one of the food groups or subgroups recommended by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. These groups and sub-groups include fruit, vegetables, grains, fat-free and low-fat dairy and protein foods.
Limits on Three Individual Nutrients
These items must meet specific limits for three individual nutrients such as added sugars, saturated fat, and sodium.
Determining the Right Combination
The criteria for how much food from a particular food group is required (called food group equivalents) and the specific limits for the three individual nutrients vary for individual food products, mixed products (which contain certain amounts of more than one food group), main dishes, and meals. These combinations are based on a Reference Amount Customarily Consumed, which is the basis for determining a serving size.
Encouraging Nutrient Dense Foods
Under the updated ”healthy” claim, nutrient-dense foods that are encouraged by the Dietary Guidelines which have no added ingredients except for water, automatically qualify for the “healthy” claim. It is because of their nutrient profile and positive contribution to an overall healthy diet. These diets include vegetables, fruits, whole grains, fat-free and low-fat dairy, lean game meat, seafood, eggs, beans, peas, lentils, nuts, and seeds.
Inclusion of ‘Budget Food Items’
Under the updated ‘Healthy’ claim, foods such as water, avocados, nuts and seeds, and higher-fat fish, such as salmon, and olive oil will now qualify to use the “healthy” claim. These include many varieties of these foods that fit into a range of budgets, for example, fruits, vegetables, and fish that are either fresh, frozen, or canned.
Excluded ItemsFrom ‘Healthy Claim’
Examples of products that qualified for “healthy” under the original claim that do not under the updated claim include fortified white bread, highly sweetened yogurt, and highly sweetened cereal.