Q - What is the definition of "Healthy" when used on a food label?

A - A "healthy" food must be low in fat and saturated fat and contain limited amounts of cholesterol and sodium. In addition, if it is a single-item food, it must provide at least 10% of one or more of vitamins A or C, iron, calcium, protein, or fiber. Exempt from this "10-percent" rule are certain raw, canned and frozen fruits and vegetables and certain cereal-grain products. These foods can be labeled "healthy," if they do not contain ingredients that change the nutritional profile, and, in the case of enriched grain products, conform to standards of identity, which call for certain required ingredients. If it is a meal-type product, such as frozen entrees and multi-course frozen dinners, it must provide 10% of two or three of these vitamins or minerals or of protein or fiber, in addition to meeting the other criteria. The sodium content can not exceed 360 mg per serving for individual foods and 480 mg per serving for meal-type products.

Medical Wisdom's Food Labeling & Nutrition Facts Information