The FDA’s New Definition for “Healthy” Labeling

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If you’re reading this, chances are you’re interested in purchasing healthy foods, right? Guiding Stars helps make selecting nutritious foods quicker and easier—just look for the stars! (Find out more about how the program helps here.) And now the government is updating the “healthy” claim that manufacturers can voluntarily use on food packages.

Currently, about 10% of foods in supermarkets qualify for the existing “healthy” claim and only 5% of choose to use the claim. In December 2024, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) finally finished a years-long project to update the regulations for using the word “healthy” on food packages. The FDA anticipates that the updated criteria will result in a higher proportion of foods qualifying for the “healthy” label.

What does the FDA consider “healthy”?

First, the final rules for using the word “healthy” on food labels also pertain to similar terms. “Health,” “healthier,” and “healthful,” for example—are all implied nutrient claim terms. These words all suggest that the food is nutritious and can help consumers maintain a healthy diet. Foods in the following food groups (that are recommended in the Dietary Guidelines) can use these terms: fruits, vegetables, dairy products, grains, oils, and protein foods. Yes, that’s a lot of different food items, and that’s exactly why the “healthy” label can be helpful to shoppers.

What are the qualifications to be considered “healthy”?

The FDA only allows food manufacturers to label foods as “healthy” if they contain a nutritionally meaningful amount of food from at least one of the groups listed above. This prevents foods with only tiny amounts of healthy ingredients from receiving the “healthy” designation. In addition, the food must meet specific limits for added sugars, sodium, and saturated fat.

Let’s take a look at a couple of examples:

For a bagel to use the “healthy” label claim, it must:

  • Contain at least ¾ ounce of whole grain, and also have
  • No more than 10% of the Daily Value for added sugar
  • No more than 10% of the Daily Value for sodium
  • No more than 5% of the Daily Value for saturated fat

A vegetarian frozen entrée must:

  • Contain at least ½ serving from at least two food groups (such as brown rice from the whole grain group and beans from the protein group) and also have
  • No more than 15% of the Daily Value for added sugar
  • No more than 20% of the Daily value for sodium
  • No more than 15% of the Daily Value for saturated fat

What about single-ingredient foods, like an apple or an egg?

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans encourage nutrient-dense individual foods, so they automatically qualify for the “healthy” claim. This is because of their nutrient content and their contribution to a healthy diet overall. Examples of these foods include:

  • Eggs
  • Lean meats
  • Fat-free and low-fat dairy products
  • Seafood
  • Beans, peas, and lentils
  • Nuts and seeds
  • Olive oil
  • Water
  • Vegetables
  • Fruit
  • Whole grains

Similarly, mixed foods with no other ingredients except for water automatically qualify without having to meet the food group or nutrients to limit requirements. This applies whether the food is fresh, frozen, or canned (such as plain vegetables, fruits, and seafood, for example). And water, tea, and coffee with less than 5 calories per labeled serving also qualify for the “healthy” claim. This applies even if they’re carbonated or contain non-caloric ingredients such as flavors, no- or low-calorie sweeteners, vitamins, and minerals.

Are food manufacturers required to follow these regulations?

No, using the “healthy” labeling term is voluntary. No company or food producer is required to put it on their packaging. However, if a company wants to do so, they must follow the final new rules. Manufacturers have three years to comply if they want to use (or keep using) the “healthy” designation on their packaging. That means you’ll likely see packages with “healthy” labels based on the old set of rules for a while. There are discrepancies between the sets of rules—the new definition of “healthy” is arguably more “strict” in some respects. For example, you may think that food products fortified with vitamins and minerals are healthy. But if they’re high in sugar, they won’t qualify for the new “healthy” label. This FDA infographic gives a few more examples.

What happens next?

The FDA is still working on a symbol or graphic to help consumers more easily identify foods that meet the “healthy” requirements. So far, however, there’s no word on when this will happen. Until then, you can follow the Guiding Stars on food packages, shelf tags, and signage throughout your supermarket. They will help guide you to the most nourishing foods for you and your family.

Guiding Stars was developed using high standards for nutritional content, and we continually update our algorithms to reflect the latest nutrition science and professional consensus. Our nutritional standards are based on documents including the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and other federal and international nutritional recommendations. When you select food items that earn Guiding Stars, you can be confident that you’re choosing nutritious foods. If you have questions about the program, check out this background on the Guiding Stars algorithms, our process, and FAQs.