SHOPPERS might be confused at supermarkets soon as retail giants like Walmart and Target are being forced to change how they sell their food items.
The Food and Drug Administration is updating the definition of “healthy” food for the first time in 30 years – meaning product labels will be getting a major makeover.
Products at Target like cereal and yogurt might no longer be considered healthy (stock image)[/caption]
The FDA is weighing creating a symbol to show shoppers if food items claim to be healthy or not (stock image)[/caption]
Under the new rule, foods that are labeled healthy have to contain a certain amount of a major food group
Items also can’t have too much saturated fat, sodium, or added sugars if they want to fit the health bill.
This means if a food product doesn’t meet the criteria for the FDA’s definition of healthy, they have to take the word out of the label.
The change aims to help shoppers navigate their food labels.
“It’s critical for the future of our country that food be a vehicle for wellness,” FDA Commissioner Robert Califf said in a statement, according to The Hill.
“Improving access to nutrition information is an important public health effort the FDA can undertake to help people build healthy eating patterns.”
Multiple foods that didn’t previously qualify for the healthy claim are now considered eligible, including nuts and seeds, salmon, eggs, and even water.
Other foods are being knocked off the exclusive list, including white bread, sweetened yogurts, and cereals.
VOLUNTARY LABELS
Brands aren’t required to label their foods as healthy or not healthy – but if they do, they have to use the correct requirements.
Manufacturers who want to claim the healthy label can start using the new criteria starting on February 25, 2025.
Companies have until 2028 to comply with the standards, which are explained on the FDA’s website.
“Food labeling can be a powerful tool for change,” FDA Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods Jim Jones said in a statement, according to The Hill.
“Food labeling, like ‘healthy,’ may help foster a healthier food supply if manufacturers choose to reformulate their products to meet the new definition.”
Once the rule is in effect, the FDA will crack down on companies that don’t follow the new criteria.
Products affected by the change
The FDA has changed their definition of the word ‘healthy.’
Foods that were previously ineligible but can now qualify as healthy include:
- Salmon
- Water
- Eggs
- Nuts and seeds
- Olive oil
- Avocados
Foods that were previously considered healthy but don’t qualify under the new definition include:
- Fortified white bread
- Highly sweetened cereal
- Highly sweetened yogurt
Source: FDA
Because the program is voluntary, there’s no standardized label companies are required to use – yet.
The FDA is considering developing a symbol that could represent the claim that a food is “healthy.”
The symbol used on the packaging would make it easier for shoppers to tell which foods are nutritious or not.
Improving access to nutrition information is an important public health effort the FDA can undertake to help people build healthy eating patterns.”
Robert Califf
Whether or not the symbol is developed, shoppers will still have to keep an eye out at stores like Walmart, Costco, and Target because labels claiming an item is “healthy” might be forced to change its design.
The change comes as a retail expert recently revealed to The U.S. Sun that shoppers are opting for generic products over name brands as inflation prices stay high.
Nearly half of consumers admitted they bought private-label products to save money in 2024, according to a report by data analytics firm Numerator.
The rise in popularity of private label products is driven by rising prices due to inflation – and off-brand items can even drive more customer loyalty for companies.
