CFSAN Constituent Update - Comment Period Extension for “Healthy” Claim for Food Labeling

Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition

Constituent Update

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FDA to Redefine “Healthy” Claim for Food Labeling

December 29, 2016

The FDA is extending the comment period on the use of the term “healthy” in the labeling of food products to April 26, 2017 in response to requests for additional time to submit comments. The initial comment period had been scheduled to end January 26, 2017. The FDA also intends to hold a public meeting to facilitate further dialogue on this topic.

• Federal Register Notice Announcing the Extension of the Comment Period

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Original Constituent Update

September 27, 2016

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today announced that it has started a public process to redefine the “healthy” nutrient content claim for food labeling. Redefining “healthy” is part of an overall plan to provide consumers with information and tools to enable them to easily and quickly make food choices consistent with public health recommendations and to encourage the development of healthier foods by the industry.

While FDA is considering how to redefine the term “healthy” as a nutrient content claim, food manufacturers can continue to use the term “healthy” on foods that meet the current regulatory definition. FDA is also issuing a guidance document stating that FDA does not intend to enforce the regulatory requirements for products that use the term if certain criteria described in the guidance document are met.

Public health recommendations for various nutrients have evolved, as reflected by the 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the updated Nutrition Facts label. For example, healthy dietary patterns now focus on food groups, the type of fat rather than the total amount of fat consumed and now address added sugars in the diet. Also, the nutrients of public health concern that consumers aren’t getting enough of have changed. FDA is publishing a “request for information” to solicit public input as it redefines the term “healthy.” In addition, the Agency is planning other public forums to receive additional public input.

For more information:

• Federal Register Notice for the Guidance for Industry 
• Federal Register Notice for the Request for Information
• Guidance for Industry: Use of the Term “Healthy” in the Labeling of Human Food Products
• "Healthy" on Food Labeling 

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Additional Updates from the FDA Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition