On December 19, 2024, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) updated the "Healthy" nutrient content claim. Manufacturers/producers may voluntarily use this claim on food packaging if the product meets the updated criteria.

This update to the "Healthy" claim will help consumers identify the foods that form the basis of a healthy eating pattern. This claim is particularly useful for those who may not be familiar with nutritional information. This initiative, along with others such as front-of-pack nutrition labeling and sodium reduction, is included in the White House National Strategy on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health.

The updated "healthy" claims standard is consistent with current nutrition science, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, and updated nutrition labeling, which requires a declaration of added sugar content. The updated "healthy" claims criteria include limiting intake of nutrients and identifying foods that help consumers establish compliance with current recommended dietary patterns. For a food product to be labeled with a "healthy" claim, it must meet the following criteria:

1. Contain an amount of food (food group equivalents) from at least one of the food groups or subgroups recommended by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (e.g., fruits, vegetables, fat-free and low-fat dairy products, etc.);

2. Adhere to limits for specific nutrients such as saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars. (e.g. the Recommended Daily Intake (RDI) for saturated fat is 20g (adult only), the RDI for sodium is 2,300mg (adult only) and the RDI for added sugars is 50g (adult only)).

For example, for a cereal package to contain a "healthy" claim, the cereal would need to contain a certain amount of whole grains and adhere to the limits for saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars. Nuts and seeds, high-fat fish (e.g., salmon), certain fats and water are foods that previously did not qualify for "healthy" claims, but are the basis of a healthy eating pattern and are recommended by the U.S. Dietary Guidelines. These foods are now eligible to be labeled with a "healthy" claim.

This update helps make food labeling more accessible and empowering for consumers in the U.S., and helps reduce death and disability from diet-related chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, certain types of cancers, and the risk of being overweight or obese. It also contributes to a healthier food supply environment for all.