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For the first time in 30 years FDA Redefines ‘Healthy’ Food Parameters. This step will give thousands of Americans a better idea of what they should buy to stay fit and healthy.
The new definition will apply to manufacturers who want to call their food “healthy” on labels. A “healthy” symbol is also being developed to help consumers easily spot foods that meet the new parameters.
How does the FDA redefine ‘Healthy’ Food Parameters
Now, for a food label to bear the “healthy” claim, the food needs to:
Adhere to specified limits for saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars.
Contain a certain amount of fruits, vegetables, fat-free or low-fat dairy, protein, or whole grains, as recommended by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
“Healthy” is a loaded, confusing term when used to describe foods, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) wants to end that.
They redefined the term as used by food manufacturers for the first time since the 1990s, all to make eating a balanced diet easier for everyone, a December 19 announcement said.
You might recall that fortified but sugary cereals, artificial fruit juice, and sweetened yogurts were once advertised as “healthy” foods.
That’s because the definition of “healthy” focused on individual nutrients, the FDA noted, meaning it included limits for saturated fat, total fat, cholesterol, and sodium and required a certain amount of beneficial nutrients like vitamins, minerals, fiber, and protein.
“Today, we have a greater understanding of dietary patterns and their effects on health, and we recognize that foods are made up of a variety of nutrients that work together as part of a healthy dietary pattern,” the announcement said.
