In a recent development, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has made amendments to its proposed rule regarding the labeling of cranberry and tart cherry products as "healthy." This adjustment comes as a response to the initial proposal, which would have excluded most cranberry products from being classified as healthy due to the added sugar content required to enhance their palatability. Under the new guidelines, these products will now qualify as healthy provided the added sugar does not exceed the levels found in naturally comparable fruits such as raisins.
The announcement, made on December 20, has been met with approval from stakeholders within the cranberry sector, particularly in Wisconsin, the leading state in cranberry production within the United States. According to Holly Herline, a spokesperson for the Wisconsin State Cranberry Growers Association, this revision is seen as a positive development for the industry. Cranberries, known for their high fiber content along with vitamins and antioxidants, play a role in a balanced diet, whether consumed in their natural tart state or sweetened.
Senator Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin expressed satisfaction with the administration's decision, emphasizing the nutritional value of cranberries. The push for this regulatory change was a bipartisan effort, with Baldwin, alongside other members of Congress from leading cranberry-producing states, advocating for a reevaluation of what constitutes a healthy food under the FDA's guidelines.
This final rule, which updates the FDA's three-decade-old definition of healthy foods, aims to align food labeling with federal dietary recommendations and combat diet-related chronic diseases. With this revision, products such as avocados, salmon, eggs, olive oil, and certain trail mixes will also gain the "healthy" label, while items like white bread, sugary cereals, and highly sweetened yogurts will be excluded.
Manufacturers are given a grace period until February 2028 to comply with the new labeling standards. The FDA specifies that for cranberries and tart cherries to be considered healthy, they must meet existing limits on sodium and saturated fat and contain no more added sugar than comparable products.
Aside from their nutritional profile, cranberries have been linked to various health benefits, including potential roles in supporting gut health, blood vessels, and dental health, and in preventing urinary tract infections under certain conditions, as noted in a 2023 review by the Cochrane Collaboration.
With Wisconsin producing 62% of the nation's cranberries in 2023, this regulatory update is particularly relevant to the state, further solidifying its status as a key player in the cranberry industry.
Source: Wisconsin State Journal