How would you define healthy? FDA proposes new criteria for front of package "healthy" claim

[jamiepopeauthor]

How would you define healthy? I had an in-class participation where groups of students would envision themselves as an FDA subcommittee proposing a definition of healthy - led to great discussions and recognition of the many caveats to consider. This week the FDA proposed updated criteria for when foods can be labeled with the nutrient content claim “healthy” on their packaging. This proposed rule would align the definition of the “healthy” claim with current nutrition science, the updated Nutrition Facts label and the current Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Since more than 80% of people in the U.S. aren’t eating enough vegetables, fruit and dairy. The proposed criteria would require a food to provide a "food group equivalent" from one of these groups. And because most people consume too much added sugars, saturated fat and sodium, the new criteria would add limits on saturated fat (not total fat), sodium, and for the first time, added sugars. "The proposed rule is part of the agency’s ongoing commitment to helping consumers improve nutrition and dietary patterns to help reduce the burden of chronic disease and advance health equity. Under the proposed definition for the updated “healthy” claim, which is based on current nutrition science, more foods that are part of a healthy dietary pattern and recommended by the Dietary Guidelines would be eligible to use the claim on their labeling, including nuts and seeds, higher fat fish (such as salmon), certain oils and water. “  https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-proposes-updated-definition-healthy-claim-fo...