The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a final rule for significant updates to the definition of “healthy” for food labeling on Dec. 19, marking the first major revision since 1994.
The new rule, which aligns with modern nutrition science and dietary guidelines, is designed to empower consumers to make more informed food choices and potentially reduce the prevalence of diet-related chronic diseases in the United States, according to the agency.
Under the updated criteria, foods labeled as healthy must contain a certain amount from at least one of the food groups or subgroups recommended by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. Additionally, these products must adhere to specific limits on saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars….