What to Expect from Upcoming FDA Nutrition Regulations: Front-of-Pack Labels, “Healthy” Claim, and Ultra-Processed Food Definition

What to Expect from Upcoming FDA Nutrition Regulations: Front of Package, Healthy, and UPF definition.

Over the past year, the FDA has been focused on encouraging healthier food choices for everyone! Exciting new regulations are on the way to enhance the food industry. Let’s dive into the specific changes that will make a positive difference for consumers!

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 Front-of-Package Nutrition Labels (FOPNL)

The FDA has proposed requiring “at-a-glance” nutrition warnings on the front of packaged food products. These labels would highlight key nutrients, such as added sugars, saturated fats, and sodium, using clear “high,” “medium,” or“low” indicators.

Why it matters:

• It helps consumers make healthier choices quickly and easily.
• Pushes manufacturers to reformulate products to avoid negative flags.
• Aligns the U.S. with global best practices in labeling (e.g., Chile, Mexico, UK).

 Clarifying the Definition of Ultra-Processed Foods

The FDA is teaming up with the NIH to enhance regulatory science. Dr. Susan Mayne, previously the Director of the FDA’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, is leading the charge to define 'ultra-processed foods' with clarity and precision. She recognizes the hurdles of the current vague definition and is passionately advocating for a systematic approach that will improve our understanding and regulation of these foods. Defining what really is a UPF is a promising step forward!

Why it matters:

• A formal definition could enable new labeling claims, such as “not ultra-processed,” akin to existing designations like “no added sugars” or “low sodium.”
• The new definition would be a game-changer for companies offering clean-label, less processed food products, allowing them to stand out and communicate quality clearly to consumers.
• Aligns with growing consumer demand for transparency and minimally processed ingredients, supporting ongoing health-focused food innovation.

Updated FDA Guidance on the “Healthy” Claim

In 2024, the FDA published an official proposed update to the definition of “healthy” on food labels FDA source. Under the new criteria, foods must:

• Contain a meaningful amount of fruits, vegetables, dairy, or whole grains
• Meet updated limits for saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars

Adding the new claim means many products that were once labeled as “healthy” may no longer qualify unless reformulated.

*Do you want to know if your product qualifies? Download our infographic here.*

With these new rules, being able to adjust and validate your formulations quickly is more important than ever — and NutriLab makes that process faster, traceable, and regulatory-ready.