FDA to re-evaluate definition of 'healthy'

The Food and Drug Administration will re-evaluate its definition of "healthy," which could eventually upend how a range of foods are marketed.

An FDA spokesperson, Lauren Kotwicki, said in an email Tuesday that that the agency believes "now is an opportune time to re-evaluate the regulations concerning nutrition content claims, generally, including the term 'healthy,' " in light of evolving research. 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 the company's products should not be called healthy because of their saturated fat levels.

Kind then sought a re-evaluation of the term's definition from the FDA, 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.

Last month, the House of Representatives also said in a report accompanying its agriculture appropriations bill that it expects the FDA to amend its "healthy" claim regulation to be based on "significant scientific agreement."

The FDA's decision was first reported in the Wall Street Journal.