The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has finalized new rules regarding the use of the term “healthy” on packaged foods, marking an update to the agency’s definition that has been in place for 30 years. This move is intended to help consumers better navigate food labels and make choices that align with federal dietary guidelines, with the goal of reducing diet-related chronic diseases in the U.S.
Under the updated regulations, products claiming to be “healthy” must contain a specified amount of food from one or more food groups such as fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy, or protein. Additionally, for the first time, the new rule introduces limits on added sugars, and sets restrictions on sodium and saturated fat levels, depending on the type of product. These changes are designed to make food labeling clearer and support healthier eating habits.
The FDA’s new rules on the “healthy” label will exclude foods like sugary cereals, highly sweetened yogurts, white bread, and certain granola bars, which were previously able to carry the label. On the other hand, foods such as avocados, olive oil, salmon, eggs, and some trail mix will now be allowed to use the “healthy” label. In a significant change, even water will now qualify for this designation.
FDA Commissioner Robert Califf emphasized the importance of these changes, stating, “It’s critical for the future of the country that food be a vehicle for wellness.” He highlighted that improving access to nutrition information is a key public health effort to help individuals develop healthier eating habits.
The new rule will take effect within two months, with food manufacturers given until February 2028 to comply. While a specific “healthy” label is still being developed, the previous rule allowed about 15% of products to be eligible for the designation, although only 5% made the claim.
First proposed in 2022, the FDA’s update to the “healthy” food label is seen as a much-needed improvement to what many considered “horribly outdated” guidance. Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian, director of the Food is Medicine Institute at Tufts University, praised the change, calling it a significant step forward. He noted, “This is a huge improvement from a 30-year-old outdated definition based on 40-year-old science,” reflecting the advancements in dietary and nutrition knowledge over the past three decades.
The new rule acknowledges that scientific understanding of nutrition has evolved, and the previous definition no longer aligns with the current dietary guidelines that inform federal programs and policies.
However, the update has sparked some criticism from industry groups. The Consumer Brands Association, a food industry trade group, expressed concern that the new rules may exclude certain packaged foods, despite ongoing innovations aimed at providing healthier options. Sarah Gallo, an official with the group, argued that the new rule “is not based on clear and unambiguous scientific evidence” and may not fully consider the potential economic impact on consumers.
The updated criteria are based on data that could improve public health, including diet-related chronic ailments such as heart disease and diabetes, the FDA said.
According to the FDA, more than three-quarters of Americans have diets that are low in vegetables, fruit, and dairy. Additionally, nearly 80% of Americans exceed the recommended limits for saturated fat, over 60% exceed limits on added sugars, and about 90% exceed sodium limits—factors that are known to contribute to chronic diseases. These statistics highlight the need for clearer food labeling and healthier eating patterns, which the FDA’s updated rules aim to address. By setting more stringent criteria for the “healthy” label, the agency hopes to guide consumers toward better nutrition choices and reduce diet-related health issues.
 has finalized new rules regarding the use of the term "healthy" on packaged foods, marking){kind=link}