The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has finalized an updated “healthy” nutrient content claim to help consumers identify foods that are useful as the foundation of a healthy diet. The updated criteria are aligned with current nutrition science, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, and the new Nutrition Facts label, which requires the declaration of added sugars.
To bear the “healthy” claim, food products must contain a certain amount of key nutrients from one or more of the following groups: fruits, vegetables, fat-free and low-fat dairy, whole grains, nuts, seeds, higher fat fish like salmon, and oils. These foods are foundational to healthy eating patterns recommended by the Dietary Guidelines.
The updated criteria also include limits for saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars. Examples of eligible foods that did not qualify before but now do include peanut butters, canned fruits, and vegetables. Manufacturers have three years to conform to the new guidelines and can use them sooner if they choose to.
A symbol for the “healthy” claim is also in development, which could provide a standardized graphic on food labels to show that a product meets the criteria. The FDA will host a stakeholder webinar to discuss the final rule and answer questions.
Source: https://www.fda.gov/food/hfp-constituent-updates/fda-finalizes-updated-healthy-nutrient-content-claim