What does the term “healthy” really mean when it comes to food? Most people agree that fruits and vegetables fall into the healthy category. However, what about meat, pasta, white bread, low-fat ice cream, vegetable snack chips, or walnuts? The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) established a definition for “healthy” food labels back in 1994. Yet, as Kind Snacks discovered when it received a warning from the FDA two years ago regarding the saturated fat content in some of its bars, this definition is somewhat outdated. A key aspect of this definition relates to fat content; while Kind bars may have a higher fat level than other products deemed “healthy,” this is primarily due to their nut content, which is naturally high in fat.
During an FDA hearing in Maryland, Justin Mervis, Kind’s senior vice president and general counsel, displayed a chart contrasting items labeled as “healthy” with those that are not—according to the FDA’s existing criteria. Under “healthy,” there were items like brightly colored children’s fruit cereal, low-fat chocolate pudding, and frosted toaster pastries. In contrast, almonds, avocados, and salmon were categorized as non-“healthy.”
In May 2016, the FDA reversed its stance on Kind’s “healthy” claim and committed to reevaluating the term following a petition from Kind. In September, the FDA officially began reassessing the definition of “healthy,” and it is currently accepting comments on how best to define it until April 26. This week’s public hearing was organized to gather insights from manufacturers, nutritionists, and the public to create a definition that aligns with contemporary science and dietary patterns.
Mervis emphasized the importance of having a clear and regulated definition of “healthy” to better serve consumers. He stated, “It’s simply just a signal. It’s a signal that this food meets a set of criteria. They are foods generally recognized as good for you.” However, creating a new and suitable definition is more complex than it appears. Douglas Balentine, director of the FDA’s Office of Nutrition and Food Labeling, noted that “healthy” is not universally defined; each consumer has their own interpretation of what constitutes healthy food. Most consumers trust food regulators to provide accurate information, so if a product claims to be healthy, it should meet a widely accepted definition.
Balentine explained that the original definition aimed to reduce fat intake while encouraging essential nutrients like vitamin C, vitamin A, protein, calcium, and fiber. Today, however, consumers are more focused on the overall nutritional profile of the foods they consume. While fat intake may not raise significant concern, issues like added sugars are increasingly important. Additionally, the nutrients that consumers should be encouraged to consume have shifted to include more fruits and vegetables, along with vitamin D and potassium.
Labels and health claims significantly influence consumer behavior. According to the FDA’s 2014 Health and Diet survey, 77% of adults utilize food labels to inform their purchasing decisions. Linda Verrill, from the agency’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, reported that 79% of consumers pay attention to labels at least occasionally when trying a new product. Even more striking is that nearly 90% of consumers rely on health claims when selecting food items. Many will stop reading a label if they find a health claim that meets their needs, making assumptions about other positive attributes of the product.
Research indicates that claims can create a perception of healthfulness even if the product does not meet those standards. Verrill shared findings from studies where participants favored snack chips with a health claim over those without, often without verifying the nutritional content. Another study indicated that consumers rated junk foods with health-related claims as healthier options.
David Portalatin, vice president of food analysis at The NPD Group, echoed these observations, noting that consumers have easy access to information and closely scrutinize product labels. He believes that a definition of “healthy” should resonate with consumer understanding. Nowadays, customers primarily want to know the sugar content in foods rather than calorie counts, showing a preference for comprehensive nutritional information.
When the International Food Information Council Foundation posed open-ended questions regarding what “healthy” means, consumers highlighted attributes like low sugar, low fat, and low sodium. Liz Sanders, the group’s associate director of nutrition, emphasized that the FDA’s definition should encourage healthier eating habits, given the significant trust consumers place in food label terminology.
The challenge lies not only in defining “healthy” but also in addressing the varying perspectives from food manufacturers and nutrition experts. Manufacturers want to use the claim on their products, while nutritionists aim to ensure that such claims genuinely reflect nutritional value. Mervis suggested that healthy foods should include significant amounts of fruits, vegetables, legumes, or nuts, and should not contain excessive added sugars, sodium, or artificial ingredients.
Representatives from other brands, like Conagra, also participated in the discussion. Kristin Reimers shared that the company’s Healthy Choice brand was established in the 1980s to cater to health-conscious consumers, but acknowledged that the definition of “healthy” has evolved over time. She presented a detailed matrix to evaluate foods based on their nutritional profiles, demonstrating that items like natural peanut butter could be classified as healthy while french fries would not.
Lindsay Moyer, a senior nutritionist at the Center for Science in the Public Interest, proposed stricter guidelines, arguing that food labels should help consumers make healthier choices rather than serve as marketing tools for processed foods.
The question remains: is it even worthwhile to define “healthy” at all? Pepin Tuma, senior director of government and regulatory affairs for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, indicated that while there is consensus on the outdated nature of the current definition, reaching a universally accepted definition remains elusive. The challenge lies in creating guidelines that encourage consumers to adopt healthier eating habits while recognizing that the term “healthy” may vary in meaning from person to person.
In conclusion, defining “healthy” is a complex issue that continues to evolve, necessitating input from various stakeholders to ensure it aligns with modern nutritional science and consumer expectations. As discussions progress, the term must ultimately guide consumers towards better dietary choices, fostering a deeper understanding of what constitutes healthy eating—ideally incorporating principles similar to those found in health supplements such as CCM tablets, which emphasize nutritional balance and wellness.