The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has introduced new guidelines on what qualifies as "healthy" for food products. This change aims to eliminate misleading claims and help consumers make better choices. Under the updated rules, fortified white bread can no longer be marketed as healthy, while options like fatty fish, such as salmon, are now included.

The new regulations cover a wide range of nutrient-rich foods, ensuring that whole fruits and vegetables, whole grains, dairy, eggs, beans, lentils, seafood, lean meats, nuts, and seeds can be labeled as healthy. Additionally, frozen and canned fruits and vegetables are now recognized as healthy options. To qualify, these foods must have limited added sugar, salt, and saturated fat.

The FDA's update is designed to make it easier for shoppers to identify healthy foods amidst confusing nutrition labels. Previously, labels focused on specific nutrients like calories or fat, which didn’t provide clear guidance on the overall healthiness of a product. Now, consumers can simply look for the "healthy" claim to find foundational, nutritious foods for themselves and their families.

Nutrition experts have welcomed the FDA's changes. Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian highlighted that the new rules evaluate foods based on healthy ingredients rather than just limiting negative nutrients. This approach allows heart-healthy foods like avocados and certain nuts to be recognized as healthy, promoting better dietary choices among the public.

The updated "healthy" guidelines require food manufacturers to reassess their products to meet the new standards. Products like fortified white bread and highly sweetened yogurts and cereals will no longer qualify as healthy. The FDA has provided a timeline until 2028 for companies to comply. Additionally, there may be future regulations, such as front-of-package nutritional information, to further aid consumer decision-making.

The FDA’s new definition of "healthy" on food labels represents a significant advancement in public health nutrition. By focusing on whole, nutrient-rich foods and limiting unhealthy additives, the changes aim to guide consumers towards better dietary habits. With expert support and a clear timeline for implementation, this update is expected to make shopping for healthy foods easier and more reliable.