FDA updates ‘healthy’ food criteria

For the first time in 30 years, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has updated the definition of what the word “healthy” means on food labels. The goal is for healthy claims to help consumers make informed food choices at a glance.

The rule changes are based on current nutrition science and recommendations such as the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. To qualify to be labeled as healthy, a food must meet:

Nutrient-dense foods — such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meat, beans, fat-free and low-fat dairy, and seafood — automatically qualify as long as they have no added ingredients other than water. The updated criteria apply to vegetables and fruits that are fresh, frozen, chopped, canned or dried.