Salmon can’t actually be marketed as “healthy” under current FDA guidelines, despite being recommended as a good source of protein in the government’s most recent dietary guidelines. Pop-Tarts, on the other hand, are in the clear.
The labeling rules around “healthy” haven’t been revisited in over 20 years, even though our understanding of healthy eating habits has changed considerably since then. That’s why the FDA has announced that it will reevaluate the definition of “healthy,” seeking to bring labeling up-to-date with modern understanding and current science. Depending on the final rule, the change could have a huge impact on how food can be marketed to consumers.
Source: Think Progress, 5/11/16, Healthy Foods Redefined
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