Updated "Healthy" Food label claim

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a final rule on December 19 that updates the “healthy” nutrient claim on food labels, although compliance by manufacturers is voluntary.

To bear the “healthy” claim, a food product needs to contain a certain amount of food (food group equivalent) from at least one of the food groups or subgroups (such as fruits, vegetables, fat-free and low-fat dairy etc.) recommended by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and also adhere to specified limits for the following nutrients: saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars.