The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has updated their definition of the “healthy” claim on food labels. These new guidelines represent the most current nutrition science and dietary guidelines.
For a food product to meet these new criteria and to be allowed to use the word “healthy” on their food label, the food must contain a designated quantity of food from at least one of the major food groups, and must not exceed specified limits for added sugars, saturated fat and sodium.
The previous definition from 1994 specified limits on total fat, saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium. Also, foods had to provide at least 10% of the daily value for one or more of vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, iron, protein and fiber.
That all sounds good, but manufacturers found a loophole.
Because the old rules didn’t include limits on added sugar, low-fat junk foods, such as sugar-sweetened cereals and sweetened juice drinks, could carry the word “healthy” on their labels if the manufacturer added vitamins.
Also, the old guidelines set limits on total fat content. That meant certain foods such as avocados, nuts and seeds, fatty fish such as salmon, eggs, and olive oil, didn’t qualify.
One situation that spurred this new ruling occurred in 2015 when the FDA sent a warning to the makers of Kind Fruit and Nut Snack Bars, stating they contained too many calories and saturated fat to be able to claim the bars were healthy.
The manufacturer responded, saying the calories and fat mostly came from the nuts in their products. The FDA agreed, and then began the process of updating the definition of “healthy.”
Under the new ruling almost everything in the produce section of the grocery store qualifies. Included are whole grains, dairy, eggs, beans, lentils, seafood, lean meat, and nuts and seeds, as long as they don’t exceed the limits for added sugar, salt, and saturated fat. Frozen and canned fruits and vegetables also qualify.
Whole grain cereals with no or little added sugar will qualify. Examples are plain oatmeal, shredded wheat, original (yellow box) Cheerios, and some bran cereals. Cereals such as Honey Nut Cheerios will have to be reformulated in order to carry the label.
Low and non-fat dairy products qualify, but not whole milk or full-fat cheese due to saturated fat content. Milk alternatives such as soy, almond, and oat milk may qualify, depending on how much added sugar they contain.
Examples of foods that can no longer claim to be healthy include fortified white bread, sweetened cereals and yogurts, sweetened fruit-flavored drinks, high sugar protein and energy bars, many frozen dinners, and some condiments such as ketchup.
Specifically, the new limits are: No more than 2.5 g added sugar per serving, less than 10% calories as saturated fat, and no more than 230 mg of sodium per serving.
Ironically, under the new guidelines, Kind Fruit and Nut Bars do not qualify due to excessive sugar content.
This updated definition will provide consumers with more confidence when they see the healthy claim on food labels. And it likely will motivate food manufacturers to modify some existing products so that they contain less added sugar, salt, and saturated fat.
The FDA is currently working to develop a graphic or symbol that manufacturers can add to the front of packages. This will provide easy and clear recognition for consumers.
The final ruling was released from the FDA on December 19, 2024, and went into effect on February 25, 2025. The FDA has given companies until 2028 to comply with the new guidelines.
Susie Bond is a registered and licensed dietitian in private practice. Visit susiebondnutrition.com. Contact her at [email protected]
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