The US Food and Drug Administration on Dec. 19 issued its final rule to update its nutrient content claim “healthy” that manufacturers may use voluntarily on food packages. The rule marked the first major change to the claim since the FDA introduced it in 1994. Changes included limits on added sugars, which were not mentioned in the 1994 rule, and limits on saturated fat based on food groups.

FDA redefines ‘healthy’

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The difference between added sugars, natural sugars and artificial sweeteners

Added sugars include the sweeteners that you’re adding to drinks, like tea and coffee, as well as those that manufacturers add to food. When you think of added sugars, you’re probably thinking about foods like cookies, ice cream and soda, but sugars are added to about 75% of packaged foods [ultra-processed foods], whether those foods are sweet or not. Foods like bread, whole grain cereals, plant-based milk (such as oat milk), granola bars, yogurts, soups, salad dressings and other condiments often contain sneaky amounts of added sugars. At first glance, these amounts may not seem like much, but over the course of a day, they can easily put you over the recommended limit for added sugars.

Health Risks of Eating Ultra-Processed Foods