What constitutes a “healthy” food?
The Food and Drug Administration will reevaluate its definition of “healthy,” which could change how a range of foods are marketed.
An FDA spokeswoman said in an email that the agency plans to solicit public comment on the matter in the near future.
The FDA currently allows use of the term “healthy” on packaging only when products meet certain nutrient criteria. Last year, it told the maker of Kind fruit-and-nut bars that its products should not be called “healthy” because of their saturated fat levels.
That prompted Kind to ask for a re-evaluation of the term’s definition, noting the fat in its bars comes from nuts.
Kind noted the FDA’s rule prevents avocados and salmon from being labeled “healthy,” while allowing the term for fat-free puddings and sugary cereals.
