In December, the FDA issued a final rule updating the “healthy” nutrient content claim with an effective date of February 25, 2025. However, they recently postponed the effective date for the final rule until April 28, 2025, with a compliance date of February 25, 2028. The delay in the effective date follows President Trump’s memorandum, which requires agencies to consider postponing the effective date of published rules not yet in effect for 60 days to allow further factual, legal, and policy review.

According to the FDA, the updated “healthy” claim is to help consumers identify foods that are particularly useful as the foundation of a diet consistent with dietary recommendations.

Manufacturers can voluntarily use the “healthy” claim on food packaging if the product meets the updated criteria:

• Foods must include at least one of the recognized food groups. These are vegetables, fruits, grains, and fat-free and low-fat dairy and protein foods.
• No more than 1 gram of saturated fat per serving, or no more than 15% of calories from saturated fat.
• The food shall contain less than 10% of its calories from added sugars.
• Foods must have no more than 230 mg of sodium per serving.

Under the claim, nutrient-dense foods with no added ingredients except for water (i.e., beans, eggs, lentils, vegetables, fruits), automatically qualify. Nuts and seeds can qualify for the “healthy” label even though they have a higher fat content, if the fats are mostly unsaturated. And foods such as water, avocado, fatty-fish (i.e., salmon and trout that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids), and olive oil will now qualify for the “healthy” label.

Note: The “healthy” nutrient content claim criteria and update may change or be cancelled prior to the extended effective date. We will keep you posted.