FDA Redefines “Healthy” to Better Reflect Modern Nutrition

On December 19, 2024, the Food and Drug Administration announced a Final Rule that updates the definition of “healthy” foods, a significant step towards aligning food labeling with current nutritional science and federal dietary guidelines.  The update, which aims to empower consumers with clearer information and encourage healthier dietary choices, includes a number of key changes:

• Prioritizing Nutrient Density: The new definition emphasizes foods rich in essential nutrients while limiting unhealthy components. This shift reflects a growing understanding of the importance of overall dietary quality beyond simply focusing on individual nutrients.
• Inclusion of Healthy Fats: Notably, foods containing beneficial fats, such as avocados, nuts, seeds, and olive oil, are now eligible to be labeled “healthy.” This acknowledges the crucial role of unsaturated fats in a balanced diet.
• Limits on Unhealthy Components: To qualify as “healthy,” foods must now adhere to specific limits on added sugars, saturated fat, and sodium. This aims to discourage the consumption of processed foods high in these components, which have been linked to various health issues.
• Exclusion of Misleading Claims: Sugary cereals, highly sweetened yogurts, and many processed foods that previously qualified as “healthy” will no longer be able to use this label. This move aims to prevent misleading marketing claims and better reflect the true nutritional value of these products.

The FDA’s hope is that the updated definition will lead to a change in consumer behavior.  But another question is how this change will be viewed by food manufacturers, many of whom would need to re-formulate—potentially significantly—their product offerings in order to label them “healthy.”  And then will come the potential legal battles.  Time will tell how those will play out.