The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has introduced new rules that will affect how major retailers like Costco, Walmart, and Target label foods as ‘healthy.’ If you shop at these stores, you may start seeing changes in the way food is marked on the shelves.
The new regulations require these retailers to work with their suppliers to ensure their products meet the updated FDA standards. These rules will come into effect in 2025, giving companies three years to comply with the new regulations. If they fail to meet the standards, they could face penalties.
Why Is This Change Happening?
The reason behind this shift is simple: diet-related health problems are becoming a serious issue in the U.S. Chronic diseases linked to poor diets are now leading causes of death and disability, according to the FDA. Additionally, people living in poverty tend to suffer from these diseases at even higher rates. The goal of the new rules is to make it easier for consumers to identify truly healthy foods.
While this move is a step in the right direction, it doesn’t address some underlying issues. One major concern is the cost of healthy food, which can still be a barrier for many people. For these changes to be truly effective, more efforts need to be made to make healthy food affordable and to educate the public, especially through school systems, on how to cook and eat well.
What Does This Mean for Retailers Like Costco, Walmart, and Target?
For retailers like Costco, Walmart, and Target, this rule change means that their private-label brands will have to meet the new FDA standards to use the ‘healthy’ label on their products. Many of these stores already offer lower-priced alternatives to national brands, and they will now need to make sure these products meet the FDA’s definition of healthy.
In the past, terms like “healthy” and “natural” were often used in marketing without strict guidelines. The new regulations aim to ensure that these labels truly reflect the nutritional content of the food. This move will help shoppers make more informed choices, ensuring that the products they purchase live up to the health claims they make.
Which Foods Can Be Labeled ‘Healthy’?
Starting in February 2025, foods that want to be labeled as ‘healthy’ will have to meet two key standards. First, the product must contain at least one food group or
Today, we are announcing a final rule to update the definition of the nutrient content claim “healthy.” https://t.co/XgbKVQZbBQ
— U.S. FDA (@US_FDA) December 19, 2024
This rule will help ensure that consumers have access to more complete, accurate, and up-to-date nutrition information on food labels. pic.twitter.com/QZMlRSbaXP
subgroup recommended by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
This includes fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy products, and proteins such as meat and legumes. Second, the product must meet specific limits for certain nutrients: it cannot contain too much-saturated fat, sodium, or added sugars.
For example, fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy will likely be the first to get this new ‘healthy’ label. These are all foods that have long been recognized as healthy, but now consumers will have an easier time identifying them in stores.
Oils and Fats: A Special Case
When it comes to oils and fats, the FDA has made some exceptions. Certain cooking oils, such as olive oil and canola oil, will be able to carry the ‘healthy’ label. Studies have shown that using these oils in place of oils with saturated fats can help reduce cholesterol levels, making them a better option for health-conscious consumers.
What Still Needs to Be Worked Out?
While the new rules are a big step forward, some details are still being finalized. The FDA is expected to release the full definition of what qualifies as ‘healthy‘ later this month. Once these final details are available, shoppers will have a clear understanding of what foods can carry the new label.
The FDA hopes that these changes will make it easier for families to make healthier choices when shopping for food. By making it clearer which foods are truly healthy, the agency believes it can help reduce the risk of diet-related chronic diseases.
Conclusion
These changes at Costco, Walmart, and Target represent a major shift in how food is labeled in the U.S. With the new FDA rules, the term ‘healthy’ will have more meaning, making it easier for shoppers to choose nutritious foods. However, the new rules alone won’t solve all of the country’s health problems.
There is still work to be done to make healthy foods more affordable and to educate the public about nutrition. But for now, these changes are a step in the right direction, helping consumers make better food choices and improving the overall health of the nation.
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Archer Bannister is a journalist with 4 years of experience covering hard-hitting stories. Currently working with Mikeandjonpodcast, Archer specializes in delivering timely and in-depth updates on a variety of topics, including crime news, politics, and national issues affecting the USA. His expertise and dedication to delivering accurate, impactful news make him a trusted voice for audiences seeking to stay informed on critical topics.
