Federal officials say the new rule will make sure consumers have access to more complex and accurate nutritional information on food labels. It may also help promote the development of healthier foods and reduce the use of food preservatives.

The new “healthy” determination will call for food that qualifies as healthy to contain specific limits on saturated fat, sodium and added sugars. It also calls for food to contain at least one fruit, vegetable, protein, dairy or grain to hold the “healthy” title.

Agency officials say the rule is meant to empower consumers and help them identify foods that are healthier to eat when shopping, including foods containing nuts, seeds, fatty fish like salmon, olive oil and water.

For example, a 50-gram serving of dairy must contain less than 5% of a person’s daily sugar level and 10% of a person’s daily salt and saturated fat to be labeled as “healthy.” It would also bar products like white bread, which are high in sugar and sodium, from using the “healthy” label.

While manufacturers are not required to meet the guidelines for healthy foods, they also cannot label their foods as “healthy” unless the foods follow the guidelines.

“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 said in the press release. “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 has set a date of February 25, 2028, for food labels to come into compliance with the new labeling requirements.