FDA ruling limits which foods can be labeled 'healthy' on packaging

Food manufacturers will have to meet specific standards to be able to use the word "healthy" when describing products on package labels under new rules from the FDA.

The Food and Drug Administration is changing the way food companies can claim their products are "healthy." Fortified white bread is out, and fatty fish like salmon is in.

Most everything in the grocer’s produce section — whole fruits and vegetables — would qualify under the new rule issued Thursday. Other nutrient-rich foods, such as whole grains, dairy, eggs, beans, lentils, seafood, lean meat, nuts and seeds also pass the test as long as they have limited added sugar, salt and saturated fat.

Frozen and canned fruits and vegetables are included in the new "healthy" category.

It's an attempt to help shoppers in other aisles confused by nutrition fact labels that don’t give any real-world guidance as to whether one product is better than another.

"Now, people will be able to look for the ‘healthy’ claim to help them find foundational, nutritious foods for themselves and their families," FDA Commissioner Robert Califf, wrote in a media statement.

https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/fda-healthy-food-packaging-ruling-rcna184534

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