Jan 16, 20253 min read

By: Krystal Register, MS, RDN, LDN, Vice President, Health & Well-being, FMI 

Healthy FDA GraphicFor the first time in 30 years, FDA has updated the definition of “healthy” as a voluntary nutrient content claim to be consistent with current nutrition science and the recommendations of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans to build healthy patterns of eating.

The updated “healthy” framework is based on criteria grounded in both food groups to include (vegetables, fruit, dairy, protein foods, whole grains) and nutrients to limit (specifically saturated fat, sodium and added sugar).

The intended goal, as stated in the final ruling, is to help consumers “identify foods that are particularly useful as the foundation of a nutritious diet that is consistent with federal dietary recommendations."

A Few Things to Know
  • Foods and beverages that quality for “healthy” can be the “foundation” for creating a healthy dietary pattern, meeting both:
    • food group equivalent (FGE) minimums, and
    • nutrients to limit (NTL) criteria.
  • Each food group has a specific FGE minimum and varied levels of saturated fat, sodium and added sugars that can be included. FGE and NTL criteria also vary for individual foods, mixed products, main dishes and meals, with special criteria for foods with small RACCs (reference amount customarily consumed). Read the food group criteria.
  • Foods and beverages that do not qualify are not necessarily “unhealthy” or unable to provide nutritional benefits to consumers. This is important to note as consumers build nourishing meals and snacks with a variety of choices on a foundation of “healthy” items.
  • The ruling is voluntary, so retailers and product manufacturers have the option to call out items that meet the “healthy” criteria.
What’s New?
  • Fruits and veggies beyond just raw, whole and fresh. The new ruling expands to include frozen, chopped, dried and canned fruits and vegetables that meet the minimum NTL.
  • Automatically included: individual foods and mixed products made up of the food groups encouraged by the Dietary Guidelines with no other ingredients except for water (vegetables, fruit, whole grains, fat-free and low-fat dairy, lean meat*, seafood, eggs, beans, peas, lentils, nuts and seeds).  
    • *NOTE: FDA regulates game meats. Poultry and other lean meats are regulated by USDA and not included in this ruling by FDA, which might cause some confusion. USDA could follow with similar criteria for “healthy” lean meats.
  • Eggs, avocados, higher fat seafood (like salmon), oil, nuts and seeds. These foods were previously excluded due to high total fat content.
  • Water, coffee and tea. Beverages must be less than 5 calories, but can include non-caloric flavors, vitamins, minerals and no- or low-calorie sweeteners.
What’s Next?
  • FDA is exploring development of a symbol or icon that could appear on food labels to show that a product meets the definition of “healthy.” FDA is also considering how the symbol could be used with foods that qualify but do not always have packaging, such as in the produce or seafood department.
  • FDA is encouraging the use of an online filter to help consumers as they search for foods and beverages that qualify for “healthy” as a start to building out a shopping cart.
  • Education and effective communication with consumers about how to shop, cook and eat using “healthy” foods and beverages as a foundation.

FMI and our members share the important goal of helping consumers quickly and easily identify foods that can be the foundation of a healthy dietary pattern. We will continue to collaborate with FDA and USDA on a supportive education campaign designed to promote the inclusion of all foods in alignment with the Dietary Guidelines. We encourage members to explore the FDA reference materials and resources, and encourage use of educational materials as we all help consumers enjoy foods and beverages from the grocery store that fit in a healthy pattern of eating. 

Read the final ruling