FDA updates definition of ‘healthy food’

Packaged foods in the U.S. will be required to follow new rules in order to call themselves “healthy,” according to changes finalized Thursday by the Food and Drug Administration.

The “healthy” claim has been updated to help consumers find foods that are basic to a healthy dietary pattern and could also result in the development of healthier foods. Manufacturers can voluntarily use the “healthy” claim on a food package if a product meets the updated definition.

“It’s critical for the future of our country that food be a vehicle for wellness. Improving access to nutrition information is an important public health effort the FDA can undertake to help people build healthy eating patterns,” FDA Commissioner Robert M. Califf, M.D., said in a statement. “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.”

To qualify as “healthy” under the updated definition, food products need to contain a certain amount of a food from at least one of the food groups or subgroups outlined by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans including fruits, vegetables, protein foods, dairy, and grains.

Foods that qualify for the “healthy” claim need to also  meet certain limits on saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars. Under these changes, more foods that are key to healthy eating patterns will  qualify for the “healthy” claim, which could make them easier for consumers to identify when shopping. These foods include nuts and seeds, higher fat fish such as salmon, olive oil, and water.

The updated definition for the “healthy” claim aligns with current nutrition science, the dietary guidelines, and nutritional labels, which now require the declaration of added sugars. The updated “healthy” claim definition for the first time sets certain limits for added sugars.

Diet-related diseases, including heart disease, cancer, and diabetes, are the leading cause of disability and disease in the United States and contribute to America’s status as having the lowest life expectancy among large, high-income countries, the FDA said.

In the U.S., 77 percent of people exceed the current dietary recommendations for saturated fat; 79 percent of people have dietary patterns low in dairy, fruits, and vegetables; 63 percent of people exceed current dietary recommendations for added sugars; and 90 percent of people exceed the daily recommended limits for sodium.

The new rule will take effect within two months and food manufacturers will have until February 2028 to comply. 

The FDA is continuing to develop a “healthy” symbol that manufacturers can use to indicate their food meets the criteria of “healthy.” The symbol would be another way, in addition to using the term “healthy,” to convey to consumers that a food meets the “healthy” claim criteria.