FDA Redefines "Healthy" Food Label Standards

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has unveiled a new definition for “healthy” on food packaging, marking the first significant update to the label in decades. The revised criteria exclude certain products like sugary cereals, sweetened yogurts, and some types of white bread while emphasizing a nutrient-dense, balanced dietary pattern over individual nutrient measurements.

In the 1990s, the FDA’s “healthy” definition focused on specific amounts of vitamins, minerals, fats, and protein within a product. However, the updated framework prioritizes the inclusion of food groups such as fruits, vegetables, and dairy, while imposing stricter limits on saturated fats, sodium, and added sugars. The changes align with modern nutritional science and the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

“Things have changed since the 1990s, and the definition had to be updated to comply with current nutritional science,” said Livleen Gill, MBA, RDN, LDN, president of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Food manufacturers have until February 25, 2028, to adapt their labeling to the new standards, according to an FDA spokesperson.

What Qualifies As “Healthy” Under FDA Standards?

To earn the updated “healthy” label, products must include sufficient amounts of food from approved groups, such as fruits, vegetables, or dairy, while adhering to caps on added sugars, sodium, and saturated fats. Foods like fresh produce, salmon, trail mix with nuts and dried fruits, eggs, and plain low-fat yogurt meet the criteria—and even water qualifies.

For example, a 2/3 cup serving of yogurt must contain no more than 2.5 grams of added sugar, 230 milligrams of sodium, and 2 grams of saturated fat. These thresholds vary depending on the food type.

The new guidelines shift focus away from limiting total fats entirely and recommend unsaturated fats—for instance, those found in avocados, nuts, seeds, salmon, and olive oils—which are associated with heart health benefits. Registered dietitians have long encouraged consumption of unsaturated fats over saturated fats.

“Cut the salt, skip the sugar, trim the saturated fat,” Gill said, reiterating decades-long nutrition advice.

Symbol for "Healthy" Foods Under Consideration

The FDA intends to introduce a “healthy” symbol for food packages, a move designed to simplify choices for consumers who may not be familiar with detailed nutrition information.

“Symbols can be particularly helpful for people to identify foods that support a healthy eating pattern,” an FDA spokesperson noted.

Other countries have already implemented similar visual systems. The United Kingdom uses a traffic-light system to highlight levels of salt, sugar, and fat, while Australia and New Zealand employ a star-based rating to indicate overall nutritional quality.

Will These Changes Improve Public Health?

The FDA’s updated definition reflects a broader shift in nutrition science, focusing on overall eating patterns rather than isolated nutrients. Modern guidelines suggest that it’s a consistent, balanced approach to eating—rather than reliance on individual “health foods”—that ultimately impacts long-term health.

“We know that it’s not any single food that makes or breaks your diet; it’s your overall way of eating that really impacts your health,” said Melanie Hingle, PhD, MPH, RDN, a professor of nutritional sciences at the University of Arizona.

The FDA hopes the revised standards will guide consumers toward healthier choices, reduce rates of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and obesity, and encourage manufacturers to reformulate products to meet higher nutritional standards.

“If food manufacturers reformulate products to comply with the label, the overall food supply will benefit from improved nutrition quality,” said Hingle.

Still, experts emphasize that “healthy” recommendations aren’t universally applicable and must be tailored to each individual’s unique dietary needs.

“It’s always good to think about yourself in the context of general recommendations and understand what health means for you personally,” Hingle added.

By refining the definition of “healthy,” the FDA seeks to better align food labeling with scientific research and make healthier eating more accessible for Americans.