• The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a new definition of “healthy” food for the first time in 30 years.
• The new definition will apply to manufacturers who want to call their food “healthy” on labels.
• A “healthy” symbol is also being developed to help consumers easily spot foods that meet the new parameters.

“Healthy” is a loaded, confusing term when used to describe foods, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) wants to put an end to that. The organization recently redefined the term as used by food manufacturers for the first time since the 1990s, all in an effort to make eating a balanced diet easier for everyone, a December 19 announcement said.

You might recall that fortified but sugary cereals, artificial fruit juice, and sweetened yogurts were once advertised as “healthy” foods. That’s because the definition of “healthy” focused on individual nutrients, the FDA noted, meaning it included limits for saturated fat, total fat, cholesterol, and sodium and required a certain amount of beneficial nutrients like vitamins, minerals, fiber, and protein.

“Today, we have a greater understanding of dietary patterns and their effects on health, and we recognize that foods are made up of a variety of nutrients that work together as part of a healthy dietary pattern,” the announcement said.

Now, in order for a food label to bear the “healthy” claim, the food needs to:

• Contain a certain amount of fruits, vegetables, fat-free or low-fat dairy, protein, or whole grains, as recommended by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
• Adhere to specified limits for saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars.

These new parameters were initiated by a need to make food a vehicle for health and wellness, the FDA said, as diet-related chronic diseases are the leading causes of death and disability in the United States, many of which disproportionately affect racial and socioeconomic minority groups.

“Healthy eating patterns, which include foundational foods like fruits, vegetables, fat-free and low-fat dairy, and whole grains, are associated with improved health, such as reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, certain types of cancers, and being overweight or obese,” the FDA shared. “Providing informative and accessible food labeling empowers consumers and may help foster a healthier food supply for all if some manufacturers voluntarily reformulate food products to meet the updated criteria.”

To make spotting these new-found healthy foods easier for all, the FDA is developing a symbol that manufacturers can put on their packaging if they meet the new requirements. The organization did not share exactly when the symbol will roll out, but companies can use the new “healthy” claim, if they meet the standards, beginning February 25, 2025. They will need to follow the updated definition by February 25, 2028.