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What Are 'Healthy' Foods? The F.D.A. Updates the Labeling Terms.

^{Published on 2024-12-19 13:43:24 - The New York Times}
 

• "Improving access to nutrition information is an important public health effort the F.D.A. can undertake to help people build healthy eating patterns." The 318-page rule sets forth highly specific guidelines around what food manufacturers can label ...

The article from The New York Times, published on December 19, 2024, discusses the FDA's new initiative to introduce a "healthy" label for food products. This label aims to help consumers make better dietary choices by clearly identifying foods that meet specific nutritional criteria. The criteria include limits on added sugars, sodium, and saturated fats, while encouraging foods rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and beneficial nutrients like fiber, protein, and vitamins. The move has sparked debate among food manufacturers, nutritionists, and consumer advocacy groups. Some applaud the clarity it brings to food labeling, potentially reducing the prevalence of diet-related diseases. However, critics argue that the criteria might be too restrictive, potentially excluding many traditional or culturally significant foods, and could lead to confusion or misinterpretation by consumers. The FDA is currently in the process of finalizing these guidelines, with public comments and industry feedback being considered to refine the definition of what constitutes a "healthy" food.

Read the Full The New York Times Article at:
[ https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/19/health/fda-healthy-foods-label.html ]

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