FDA Updates Definition of 'Healthy' Foods to Reflect Modern Dietary Guidelines
The FDA has revised its decades-old definition of 'healthy' foods to provide clearer labeling guidelines, ensuring products meet modern nutritional standards while limiting harmful ingredients.
Published on April 14, 2025
In December 2024, the FDA updated its 30-year-old definition of 'healthy' foods to help Americans better navigate food labels. The new criteria require products to include specific amounts of fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy, or protein, while limiting added sugars, sodium, and saturated fats. This move is intended to align food labeling more closely with current federal dietary guidelines and public health goals.
The updated definition, which manufacturers must comply with by February 2028, comes amid broader efforts to curb diet-related chronic diseases. Although the changes have met with some criticism—for example, concerns over economic impacts and the scientific basis of the new standards—the FDA remains optimistic that clearer labeling will encourage healthier choices at the consumer level.