The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently announced a significant update to its definition of healthy foods, affecting major supermarket chains like Walmart, Target, Costco, and hundreds of others. Starting February 25, 2025, these companies must change the way they label and market certain food products.
Under the new guidelines, foods with “healthy” labels must contain a minimum amount of one or more major food groups, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, protein, and dairy products. These products cannot exceed limits for sodium, saturated fat, and added sugars.
The FDA aims to provide clarity on healthy eating guidelines and eliminate false advertising. The update requires manufacturers to modify their labeling or reformulate products to comply with the new standards, which are now available on the FDA’s website.
While some foods may no longer qualify as “healthy,” others that were previously excluded from consideration due to high fat and cholesterol content will now be recognized for their nutritional benefits. Examples include nuts and seeds, salmon, eggs, and water.
It is essential to note that labeling products as “healthy” is voluntary, but companies must ensure compliance if they use this label. Manufacturers have three years to implement changes in all products, reviewing formulas, modifying labels, and ensuring each product meets the new requirements.
The FDA hopes that this update will lead to clearer nutrition information for consumers, enabling them to make more informed decisions when buying food at reputable supermarkets.
Source: https://infoemplea2.com/en/news/official-notice-to-walmart-target-and-costco-a-new-fda-law-will-forever-change-the-way-you-sell-food-starting-in-2025