FDA Issues Procedural Notice on Consumer Research on “Healthy” Symbol

Constituent Update

May 6, 2021
 
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is issuing a procedural notice on the preliminary quantitative consumer research it plans to conduct on symbols that could be used in the future to convey the nutrient content claim “healthy.” As part of the Paperwork Reduction Act, Federal agencies are required to publish notice in the Federal Register on each proposed information collection and to give the public the opportunity to comment.
 
The FDA is conducting the research in conjunction with the development of a proposed rule the FDA intends to later publish that would update when manufacturers may use the “healthy’ nutrient content claim on food packages. The symbol would be a stylized representation of the nutrient content claim.
  
The update to the definition and creation of a symbol for the “healthy” nutrient content claim are part of the FDA’s Nutrition Innovation Strategy (NIS). The NIS is intended to reduce the burden of nutrition-related chronic diseases, which are experienced at a disproportionately higher rate by communities of color. One of the elements of the NIS is to modernize claims, which serve as quick signals for consumers about what benefits a food or beverage they choose might have. Claims and symbols can also help consumers better understand nutrition information and can encourage companies to reformulate products to improve their nutritional value.
  
The FDA is seeking comment on ways to enhance the quality, usefulness, and clarity of the information to be collected. Comments on the notice are due 60 days following publication in the Federal Register.  Submit comments electronically to https://www.regulations.gov. Written comments should be addressed to:

Dockets Management Staff (HFA-305)
Food and Drug Administration
5630 Fishers Lane, Rm. 1061
Rockville, MD 20852