FDA Updates 'Healthy' Claim Definition on FoodFDA Updates 'Healthy' Claim Definition on Food

The US Food and Drug Administration has issued a final rule to update the definition of the nutrient content claim "healthy." This rule will help ensure that consumers have access to more complete, accurate, and up-to-date nutrition information on food labels.

The "healthy" claim has been updated to help consumers find foods that are part of the foundation of a healthy dietary pattern and could also result in the development of healthier foods. Manufacturers can voluntarily use the "healthy" claim on a food package if a product meets the updated definition.

The healthy claim provides a quick signal on food package labels to help consumers identify foundational foods for building healthy dietary patterns. It could be especially helpful for those who may be less familiar with nutritional information.

"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," said FDA Commissioner Robert M. Califf, M.D. "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."

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To use the “healthy” claim, a food product needs to: 

Under these changes, more foods that are key to healthy eating patterns will  qualify for the "healthy" claim, which could make them easier for consumers to identify when shopping. Nuts and seeds, higher fat fish, such as salmon, certain oils, and water are examples of foods that did not qualify for the “healthy” claim before but are foundational to a healthy eating pattern and recommended by the Dietary Guidelines.

The updated definition for the "healthy" claim aligns with current nutrition science, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the scientific evidence supporting the updated Nutrition Facts label, which now requires the declaration of added sugars. For example, the updated "healthy" claim definition for the first time sets certain limits for added sugars.