The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced a delay in the implementation of its new labeling guidelines for foods that can be marked as “healthy.” The revised effective date for the regulations is now set for April 28, 2025. This delay follows President Trump’s “Regulatory Freeze Pending Review” memorandum, which directs federal agencies to postpone the activation of rules for 60 days in order to review any potential legal, factual, or policy concerns.
The memorandum also suggests that, during this period, agencies may open comment periods to gather feedback on the regulations in question, and consider further delays or adjustments to the rules if necessary.
According to the FDA’s rule outlined in the Federal Register, the new labeling requirements aim to clarify which foods can be labeled as “healthy” based on specific nutritional criteria. The rule mandates that foods labeled “healthy” must meet certain nutrient standards, including limits on added sugars, saturated fats, and sodium, which will be defined based on the Daily Value percentage for these nutrients. Additionally, the rule stipulates that foods with the “healthy” label should reflect the foundation of a nutritious diet, in alignment with current dietary guidelines.
The FDA did not disclose specific areas of the rule under review during this delay, leaving uncertainty about what elements of food labeling will be re-evaluated.
Changes to the ‘Healthy’ Label
Currently, around 5% of packaged foods in the U.S. are labeled as “healthy.” Under the new guidelines, many foods that were once able to carry this label—such as white bread, heavily sweetened cereals, and yogurt—will no longer qualify. In contrast, certain foods like nuts, seeds, salmon, olive oil, peanut butter, and canned fruits and vegetables are expected to meet the new criteria.
In an effort to help consumers more easily identify foods that meet the “healthy” standards, the FDA is also developing a new symbol for packaging. This symbol will be placed on the front of food products, complementing the detailed nutritional information already available on the back of the package.
The FDA’s updated definition of “healthy” will require foods to include appropriate amounts of key food groups—such as fruits, vegetables, grains, protein foods, or dairy—while limiting excessive amounts of saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars.
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