Buzz
Producers of high-fat foods like nuts, eggs, and avocados are excited that their products are shedding their former status as dietary villains. The Food and Drug Administration is looking to redefine 'healthy,' and these foods could soon become part of the new definition.
Previously, foods high in fat, sodium, and cholesterol were excluded from using the term 'healthy' on their labels. But when the FDA attempted to limit KIND bars—packed with nuts and thus high in fat—the company pushed back, stating the FDA's definition was outdated. Surprisingly, the FDA agreed and began searching for a better definition. They held a meeting last week to discuss complex questions like, 'What are the public health benefits, if any, of defining the term ‘healthy’ or similar terms in food labeling?'
The 874 public comments received were mostly from individuals, with a mix of insightful and bizarre opinions. Some grammar purists insisted the word should be 'healthful' instead of 'healthy.' Six comments came from growers or marketers of high-fat foods, many of which had recently been excluded from the 'healthy' definition. Here are a few notable quotes:
Blue Diamond [Almond] Growers: 'While the current definition [of healthy] does include some of our products, it is believed the definition of healthy should be broadened to include [multi-ingredient] products that contain almonds.'
International Tree Nut Council Nutrition Research and Education Foundation: '[C]urrent FDA regulations governing “healthy” claims are outdated and do not align with the current U.S. Dietary Guidelines or the latest scientific research supporting the contributions made by nuts in achieving an overall healthy dietary pattern.'
Hass Avocado Board: 'Avocados are virtually the only fruit with unsaturated fats and are a delicious way to help consumers meet the [dietary guidelines’] recommendations to shift from eating saturated fat to unsaturated fat.'
Egg Nutrition Center (funded by the American Egg Board): 'Eggs are repeatedly defined to be a ‘nutrient-dense food’ in the most recent [dietary guidelines], which establishes nutrient-dense foods as central components of a ‘healthy’ diet.'
United Egg Producers: 'Eggs are among the most affordable sources of protein and also have significant amounts of other nutrients, including vitamin D. Other advantages of eggs include ease and speed of preparation, acceptability across a wide range of cultures, and popularity among population groups that may need additional protein, such as seniors because of the risk of sarcopenia.'
Pete and Gerry’s Organic Eggs: 'As the owner [of] Pete & Gerry’s Organics LLC, a Certified Humane, free-range, network of small family farms, it’s not often that I see eye to eye with the [United Egg Producers], as we disagree on farming practices. Where we do agree is that eggs are a very healthy food.'
Interestingly, no representatives from the sugar or candy industries stepped forward to defend their products. Two other industry comments were requests (which were denied) for an extended comment period. These came from Herbalife International of America, which sells weight-loss shakes, and the Grocery Manufacturers Association, which represents makers of processed foods.
I have to give the FDA credit for addressing this issue. 'Healthy' is a term full of complexities, and there's genuine uncertainty about its meaning. Nuts, avocados, and eggs likely belong on the positive side of that debate. However, these decisions aren't made in isolation, and it's a bit strange to consider that when purchasing a bag of almonds or a dozen eggs, some of your money ends up funding lobbying efforts over the precise wording in the fine print on the packaging.
