For the first time in 30 years, the United States FDA has updated its definition of “healthy” food. The new guidelines, announced by the Food and Drug Administration on Thursday, remove items like white bread from the list and promote nutrient-rich options such as eggs, salmon, avocados, and nuts.
The change comes amid a growing health crisis caused by poor diets. Diet-related illnesses, including heart disease, diabetes, and some cancers, are now the leading causes of death and disability in the US. Experts warn immediate action is needed to reverse these trends, which have led to the country’s life expectancy being the lowest among large, wealthy nations.
Symbol to mark foods as healthy
To help consumers make better choices, the FDA is developing a new symbol to mark foods that meet the updated “healthy” criteria. This will make it easier for shoppers to identify nutritious foods, especially those who struggle to understand detailed nutrition labels. The FDA has not announced when the symbol will be available.
“Diet-related diseases, including heart disease, cancer, and diabetes, are the leading cause of disability and disease in the United States,” said Jim Jones, a senior FDA official. “The healthy claim has been updated to help ensure that consumers have access to more complete, accurate, and up-to-date nutrition information on food labels.”
New criteria for healthy
Under the new rules, foods labeled “healthy” must contain a meaningful amount of key food groups recommended by FDA dietary guidelines. These groups include vegetables, proteins, dairy, and whole grains. Additionally, foods must stay within specific limits for saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars.
If you want to advertise your food or beverage product as being "healthy" on its label, pay attention to the FDA's new rule regarding the use of that term, which was finalized yesterday.
Among other things, it sets limits for added sugars, saturated fat, and sodium. pic.twitter.com/4o0E0H0uB8
— Rob Freund (@RobertFreundLaw) December 20, 2024
This approach marks a significant shift in how fats are evaluated. In the 1990s, the focus was on reducing all fats. Today, the emphasis is on reducing saturated fats while recognizing the benefits of healthy fats. Foods such as avocados, nuts, seeds, high-fat fish, eggs, and olive oil now qualify as “healthy” because they contain beneficial fats.
Conversely, many foods that once carried the “healthy” label no longer meet the updated criteria. These include sugary fruit snacks, heavily sweetened snack bars, fortified cereals, and yogurts or fruit punches high in added sugars.
A response to alarming trends
Statistics underscore the urgency of the FDA’s update. About 77 percent of Americans exceed the recommended limits for saturated fat, and 63 percent consume too much added sugar. Even more alarming, 90 percent of Americans eat more sodium than is healthy.
At the same time, nearly 80 percent of Americans do not consume enough dairy, fruits, and vegetables—key elements of a balanced diet. Health officials believe clearer food labels will help Americans make healthier choices and reduce the risk of diet-related illnesses.
Future outlook
While the FDA has not set a timeline for rolling out the new symbol, the issue of healthy eating may remain a focus under the incoming administration.
President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for health secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has shown a strong interest in promoting healthy diets and nutrition.
The FDA’s new rules represent a step toward improving public health by giving consumers the tools to make informed choices and encouraging food manufacturers to offer healthier products.
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