FDA Issues Additional Procedural Notice on Consumer Research on “Healthy” Symbol
Constituent Update
March 25, 2022
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is issuing a 30-day procedural notice on the preliminary quantitative consumer research it plans to conduct on voluntary symbols that could be used in the future to convey the nutrient content claim “healthy.” This notice summarizes and responds to the comments the FDA received on a 60-day procedural notice issued in May 2021. As part of the Paperwork Reduction Act, Federal agencies are required to publish notice in the Federal Register on each proposed information collection to give the public the opportunity to comment.
The FDA is conducting the consumer research on a potential symbol, which is intended to be a stylized representation of the nutrient content claim “healthy,” while at the same time developing a proposed rule that would update when manufacturers may use the “healthy” nutrient content claim on food packages. The agency intends to publish the proposed rule with the definition update soon.
The update to the definition and study of a potential symbol for the “healthy” nutrient content claim are part of the FDA’s broader efforts to help reduce the burden of diet-related chronic diseases and advance health equity. Updating labeling and making it more accessible helps empower consumers. In particular, claims and symbols can help consumers better understand nutrition information and identify foods that contribute to a healthy eating pattern. Manufacturers may also reformulate products to improve their nutritional value so they can use the claim.
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