FDA to re-evaluate nutrition info rules

NEW YORK — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration will re-evaluate its definition of “healthy,” which could change how foods are marketed.

In light of evolving research, the FDA said it believes “now is an opportune time to re-evaluate the regulations concerning nutrition content claims, generally, including the term ‘healthy’.” The agency plans to solicit public comment on the matter in the near future, said Lauren Kotwicki, an FDA representative, in an email.

The FDA allows use of the term “healthy” on packaging only when products meet certain nutrient criteria, which largely revolve around limited levels of fat, cholesterol and sodium. The issue captured attention last year after the FDA sent a warning letter to the maker of Kind fruitand-nut bars saying the company’s products should not be labeled as healthy because of their saturated fat levels.

Kind sought a re-evaluation of the term’s definition, noting the fat in its bars comes from nuts. It noted the FDA’s rules prevent avocados and salmon from being labelled healthy, while allowing the term for fat-free puddings and sugary cereals.

After some back-and-forth on the matter, the FDA told Kind last month that it did not object to the company’s use of the term “healthy and tasty” on its wrappers. The FDA said it is allowing use of the phrase framed as a “corporate philosophy,” rather than as a nutrient content claim.

The move to rethink “healthy” comes as dietary trends have shifted, with more people concerned about sugar and questioning low-fat or low-calorie diets. But any change in the term’s regulatory definition could take years. The FDA’s final rule on gluten-free labelling, for instance, took more than six years to complete.