FDA introduces new 'healthy' label criteria for food packaging

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has revised the standards for food and beverage products to qualify for a "healthy" label on packaging. The updated guidelines, announced on Thursday, aim to align with current nutritional science and the latest Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

Under the new criteria, products must limit levels of saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars while including components from major dietary groups such as fruits, vegetables, protein, and dairy. These changes are designed to reflect the updated Nutrition Facts label, which requires companies to disclose added sugar content.

Set to take effect at the end of February, the updated rules are voluntary and form part of a broader initiative to help consumers make informed choices about food that supports health and well-being.

The FDA is also exploring the possibility of introducing front-of-package labelling to provide consumers with clearer, quicker indications of a product's health benefits. Similar systems in other countries, such as traffic light symbols, aim to simplify decision-making, though their impact on health outcomes remains uncertain.

FDA Commissioner Robert M. Califf, M.D., said: It’s critical for the future of our country that food be a vehicle for wellness. Improving access to nutrition information is an important public health effort the FDA can undertake to help people build healthy eating patterns. It is vital that we focus on the key drivers to combat chronic disease, like healthy eating. Now, people will be able to look for the ‘healthy’ claim to help them find foundational, nutritious foods for themselves and their families.

This development marks another step in the FDA's efforts to improve transparency and encourage healthier eating habits among consumers.