Robert F Kennedy Jr has delayed a ruling meant to redefine which foods are labelled ‘healthy,’ a potential setback for the Make America Healthy Again movement.
The 2024 FDA ruling was meant to go into effect this week that requires foods to meet a much stricter nutritional criteria to be labelled ‘healthy.’
RFK Jr signed off on a delay until April 28 in order to review the terms of the ruling and make any changes, as it was introduced before his confirmation as secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
Under the new ruling, for a food to use the ‘healthy’ label, it must have a certain amount of nutrients, like protein and whole grains, and contain minimal harmful ingredients like sugar and saturated fat.
High-sugar cereals, protein bars, and yogurts once labeled ‘healthy’ will no longer qualify.
Meanwhile, new ‘healthy’ foods will include olive oil, salmon, canned vegetables, and even water and coffee, for the first time.
The compliance date – the deadline manufacturers have to meet the new standards by – is unchanged and still set for 2028.
Robert F Kennedy Jr (pictured here during his confirmation hearing) has delayed an FDA ruling that would redefine which foods can be labelled ‘healthy’
Under the delayed FDA rule, foods must have a certain amount of nutrients like protein and whole grains and a limited amount of fat and sugars to be labelled ‘healthy’ (stock image)
The delay comes amid President Donald Trump‘s January notice for a ‘Regulatory Freeze Pending Review,’ an order that prevents the government from proposing or issuing any new rules until they are reviewed and approved by an agency head appointed by Trump.
FDA officials have said the new healthy labelling rule is meant to prevent and reverse America’s epidemic of chronic diseases like obesity, diabetes, and cancer.
Under the new ruling, nutrient-dense foods encouraged by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans – fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meat, seafood, eggs, lentils, and seeds – with no added ingredients automatically qualify as ‘healthy,’ the FDA said.
It’s a stark contrast from the last update to the rule in the 1990s, which aimed to limit all types of fats – even healthy ones like omega-3 fatty acids.
Studies have shown they can reduce harmful inflammation linked to heart disease, cancer, and dementia.
Omega-3 fatty acids can be found in foods like salmon and avocadoes, which previously were not eligible to be labelled as ‘healthy.’
Under the new guidelines, that will change.
The FDA is working on a symbol that can be put on packages to help customers identify which are ‘healthy,’ along with a nutritional label for the front of packaging to complement the more detailed label on the back.
There are no specific serving sizes listed in the new rules.
‘Healthy’ foods must also contain at least 10 percent of the daily recommended value of vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, iron, protein, or fiber.
Americans are recommended to get 700 to 900 micrograms of vitamin A, 75 to 90 milligrams of vitamin C, 1,000 milligrams of calcium, 10 to 18 milligrams of iron, and 25 to 34 grams of protein per day.
The FDA has updated its requirements for a food to be labelled ‘healthy.’ While water and coffee are not considered ‘healthy,’ high-sugar yogurts, breads, and cereals will no longer be allowed to be labelled as such
Water, tea, and coffee under five calories per serving will also automatically qualify.
Meanwhile, yogurt, cereal, white bread, fruit snacks, snack bars, and fruit punch that are high in sugars no longer qualify under the new rules. They previously qualified because they were low in saturated fat.
The FDA said its goal is that the new labels will help consumers pick more balanced foods to reduce rates of chronic diseases.
According to the agency, three in four Americans don’t eat enough vegetables, fruits, and dairy, so they believe the update will lead consumers to get more of these in their diets.
And recent research has found nearly 75 percent of foods in the US food supply are considered ultra-processed.
These foods are consistently packed with additives like saturated fat and added sugar, which up to nine in 10 Americans consume too much of, according to the FDA.
These ingredients have consistently been shown to increase the risk of chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease by raising blood sugar and hardening arteries.
This article was originally published by a www.dailymail.co.uk . Read the Original article here. .