FDA applying new limits to the term "healthy" on food products
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These "healthy" food labels are among the optins the FDA was considering as of May. Photo: FDA
The Food and Drug Administration is poised to add new restrictions to the use of the term "healthy" on food products.
Driving the news: The agency on Wednesday announced a proposed rule that it said "would align the definition of the 'healthy' claim with current nutrition science," including the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
- Under the current rule, about 5% of packaged foods are labeled as "healthy," according to the FDA.
- “Healthy food can lower our risk for chronic disease. But too many people may not know what constitutes healthy food,” Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra said in a statement. "FDA’s move will help educate more Americans to improve health outcomes, tackle health disparities and save lives.”
Why it matters: More than 80% of U.S. residents "aren’t eating enough vegetables, fruit and dairy," while "most people consume too much added sugars, saturated fat and sodium," the FDA said.
Between the lines: The new rule would require that "healthy" foods:
- "Contain a certain meaningful amount of food from at least one of the food groups or subgroups," such as fruits, vegetables and dairy.
- Contain limited amounts of saturated fat, sodium and added sugars. For example, a "healthy" item cannot have more than 10% of the daily recommended amount of sodium per serving.
Be smart: The move appears targeted at certain items, like sugary cereal, that claim to be good for you.
- The FDA noted in its 105-page proposed rule that some "ready-to-eat cereals that may be high in added sugars" are among the foods that, under the current federal definition, can be called healthy.
The other side: "[We] support efforts to enhance consumer choice and transparency," Roberta Wagner, vice president of regulatory and technical affairs for Consumer Brands Association, a trade group. "The definition is a first step that should be tested over time to ensure its intent of informing healthy choices is being met."
What's next: The FDA, which timed its announcement to coincide with the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition and Health, will:
- Develop a front-of-package (FOP) labeling system governing health claims.
- Issue voluntary guidelines recommending lower sodium content.
- Conduct a public meeting to assess how to lower added sugar.
(Editor's note: This article was updated to include a comment from Consumer Brands Association, an industry trade group)
