US – FDA Extends Effective Date for “Healthy” Labeling Rule: What You Need to Know

The FDA has extended the effective date for its final rule on the “Healthy” nutrient content claim to April 28, 2025, postponing it from the original date of February 25, 2025. This delay aligns with a Regulatory Freeze Pending Review memorandum issued by the President on January 20, 2025, requiring a review of any outstanding regulations before they take effect. The extension allows for further examination of legal, factual, and policy considerations related to the rule.

Chronic diet-related diseases are the leading causes of death and disability in the U.S.,
disproportionately affecting certain racial and ethnic minority groups and individuals with lower socioeconomic status. Maintaining a healthy eating pattern, including nutrient-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat or fat-free dairy has been linked to a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and certain cancers.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is issuing this final rule to update the definition of the implied nutrient content claim “healthy” in alignment with current nutrition science and federal dietary guidelines, particularly the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. This move is aimed at clear and accessible food labeling that empowers consumers to make informed choices about their diet. It establishes new criteria for when the term “healthy” can be used on food labels. This is ensuring that consumers can more easily identify foods that serve as a strong foundation for a nutritious diet in line with dietary recommendations.

To allow the “healthy” claim, a food product need to:

• Comprise a certain amount of food (food group equivalent) from at least one of
  the food groups or subgroups (such as vegetables, fruits, fat-free and low-fat
  dairy etc.) recommended by the Dietary Guidelines.
• Follow stated limits for the following nutrients: saturated fat, sodium, and
  added sugars.

How does it impact Food Manufacturers and the Consumers?
This may encourage manufacturers to reformulate labels to comply with the new guidelines. Expect to see fewer processed snacks labeled as “healthy” unless they meet the updated nutritional standards. For consumers, this update provides a more accurate and transparent way to identify truly nutritious foods in grocery stores. The goal is to make it easier for people to choose “healthy” products.