health-medicine
Updated "Healthy" Nutrient Content Claim: Final Rule – Webinar
Here is a summary of the webinar:
This video is a webinar from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) detailing the final rule to update the definition of the "healthy" nutrient content claim on food labels [00:01]. The main goal is to align the claim with current nutrition science and the Dietary Guidelines for Americans [01:32].
Key aspects of the new rule include:
- New Framework: The updated definition uses a "food group based approach" [04:38]. To use the "healthy" claim, a product must now contain a meaningful amount (a "food group equivalent") of at least one recommended food group, such as vegetables, fruits, grains, dairy, or protein [04:44].
- Nutrients to Limit: In addition to the food group requirement, the product must adhere to specific limits for saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars [04:50].
- Exemptions: The final rule expands exemptions to automatically include single-ingredient foods encouraged by the dietary guidelines (like raw whole fruits and vegetables, unsalted nuts, and brown rice) [07:26]. Water, as well as low-calorie tea and coffee without added caffeine, also automatically qualify [19:49].
- Flexibility: The rule introduces more flexibility for combination foods (like mixed products, main dishes, and meals) [13:30] and adjusts criteria for foods with small serving sizes (RACC) [08:29].
- Compliance: Manufacturers are given three years to comply with the new requirements, with a compliance date of February 25, 2028 [21:13].
- Future Plans: The FDA is also in the process of developing a "healthy" symbol that manufacturers can use on packaging to help consumers quickly identify qualifying products [22:40].
The webinar consists of a presentation of these new rules followed by a question-and-answer session [00:49, 24:16].
You can watch the full video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVfpWyFyDFw
