Hopefully this will help.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a new rule on Thursday aimed at redefining what qualifies as a “healthy” food, changing how food companies can label their products as nutritious. The rule expands the list of foods that meet the “healthy” designation to include whole fruits and vegetables, whole grains, dairy, eggs, beans, lentils, seafood, lean meats, and nuts and seeds.
FDA Commissioner Dr. Robert Califf emphasized the importance of healthy eating in combating chronic diseases, noting that improving access to accurate nutrition information is key to public health efforts. He added that the new rule will make it easier for consumers to identify nutritious foods for themselves and their families by providing clearer guidance on food labels.
Nutrition experts have praised the new regulation, which shifts the focus from limiting negative nutrients like fat, sugar, or calories, to evaluating the presence of healthy ingredients. Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian from Tufts University’s Food is Medicine Institute hailed the change as a significant improvement. The previous rules allowed products to be labeled as healthy based on fortified nutrients, even if they contained unhealthy additives like excessive sugar. The updated rule closes these loopholes, meaning foods like fortified white bread and sugar-laden yogurts can no longer claim to be healthy.
Under the new rule, companies have until 2028 to comply. The FDA is also working on a symbol that companies can place on packaging to clearly indicate when a product meets the “healthy” standards. The updated definition is expected to increase consumer confidence in food labels and encourage manufacturers to create healthier options that meet the new criteria, according to Nancy Brown, CEO of the American Heart Association.
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