FDA Proposes Updated Definition of ‘Healthy’ Claim on Food Packages

Trade Update • Oct. 6, 2022

he Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has proposed updating the criteria for when foods can be labeled with the nutrient content claim “healthy” on their packaging. This will update the definition for the implied nutrient content claim “healthy” to be consistent with current nutrition science and Federal dietary guidance, especially the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (Dietary Guidelines), regarding how consumers can maintain healthy dietary practices.

If finalized, the term “healthy” used as an implied claim in the labeling of human food products will be revised. This may help consumers maintain healthy dietary practices by helping them achieve a total diet that conforms to dietary recommendations.

The proposed rule comes as the White House held the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health, as well as the release of the national strategy that aims to end hunger, improve nutrition and physical activity, reduce diet-related diseases, and close disparity gaps by 2030.

Under the proposed definition, products labeled with the “healthy” claim on food packaging would need to:

• Contain a certain meaningful amount of food from at least one of the food groups or subgroups (e.g., fruit, vegetable, dairy, etc.) recommended by the Dietary Guidelines.

• Adhere to specific limits for certain nutrients, such as saturated fat, sodium and added sugars. The threshold for the limits is based on a percent of the Daily Value (DV) for the nutrient and varies depending on the food and food group. The limit for sodium is 10% of the DV per serving (230 milligrams per serving).

Have Your Say

You can submit comments on the proposed rule by December 28, 2022:

Electronically: via the Federal eRulemaking Portal.

By mail to the following address:

Dockets Management Staff (HFA-305)
Food and Drug Administration
5630 Fishers Lane
Rm. 1061, Rockville, MD 20852