It’s time for a healthy makeover! And in this case, I mean that literally. The FDA has just recently proposed updated criteria for the word “healthy” and how and when foods can be labeled with that claim on its packaging. This would align the definition of the “healthy” claim with current nutrition science, federal dietary guidance, the updated Nutrition Facts label and the current Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Under the proposed definition, in order to be labeled with the “healthy” claim on food packaging, the products would need to: contain a certain meaningful amount of food from at least one of the food groups or subgroups (e.g., fruit, vegetable, dairy, etc.) recommended by the Dietary Guidelines; and adhere to specific limits for certain nutrients, such as saturated fat, sodium and added sugars whose threshold for the limits is based on a percent of the Daily Value (DV) for the nutrient and varies depending on the food and food group. Under the proposed definition, raw whole fruits and vegetables would automatically qualify for the “healthy” claim because of their nutrient profile and positive contribution to an overall. And, because consumers have long been interested in finding ways to more easily identify healthy foods, the agency is also in the process of studying and exploring the development of a symbol that manufacturers could use to show that their product meets the “healthy” claim criteria. The updated “healthy” claim, and potential symbol, together would act as quick signals to help consumers identify healthier food choices more easily.
“Diet-related chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and Type 2 diabetes, are the leading causes of death and disability in the U.S. and disproportionately impact racial and ethnic minority groups,” said FDA Commissioner Robert M. Califf, M.D. “Today’s action is an important step toward accomplishing a number of nutrition-related priorities, which include empowering consumers with information to choose healthier diets and establishing healthy eating habits early. It can also result in a healthier food supply.”
The proposed rule is part of the agency’s ongoing commitment to helping consumers improve nutrition and dietary patterns to help reduce the burden of chronic disease and advance health equity and comes on the heels of the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health, as well as the release of the related national strategy, which aims to end hunger, improve nutrition and physical activity, reduce diet-related diseases and close disparity gaps by 2030.
“Nutrition is key to improving our nation’s health,” said United States Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra. “Healthy food can lower our risk for chronic disease. But too many people may not know what constitutes healthy food. FDA’s move will help educate more Americans to improve health outcomes, tackle health disparities and save lives.”
If you ask me, I think this proposed change is a long time coming. The definition “healthy” as a nutrient content claim has not been updated since it was first set in 1994 – I am hopeful that this and other current initiatives the FDA has recently proposed in support of the national strategy to improve nutrition and health and empower all consumers will create a discernible difference in how our population (myself included) make informed food choices that will have a positive impact on overall health and well-being.
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and, doing its part to commemorate it is Weis Markets, which launched a new flavor of its private label Weis Quality Ice Cream to benefit the PA Breast Cancer Coalition. The limited-edition flavor, Pink Peppermint Patty, was made available for purchase late last month and $10,000 of its proceeds will be donated to support the non-profit’s mission to help find a cure for breast cancer.
“Weis Markets has long been committed to supporting causes that advance the health of the communities where we live and work,” said Ron Bonacci, Weis Markets vice president of marketing and advertising. “We are proud to spotlight the great work of the PA Breast Cancer Coalition through the sale of our limited-edition Pink Peppermint Patty Weis Quality ice cream.”
“We are grateful for the support of partners like Weis Markets as we work to help Pennsylvanians with breast cancer and advocate for life-saving policies,” said PA Breast Cancer Coalition executive director Jennifer Pensinger.
While the full impact of Hurricane Ian is still being assessed, the damage and devastation that it brought in its wake is unprecedented. Although it will be a long road to recovery for Southwest Florida (which was the most severely impacted by the Category 4 storm) several companies from the grocery industry are proactively taking steps to help rebuild the affected communities. Publix, the beloved Lakeland, FL-based chain, has donated a total of $1 million to nonprofit organizations (including the American Red Cross and United Way) to support relief efforts in areas affected by Hurricane Ian. Additionally, the grocer activated a company-wide donation campaign at checkout, allowing customers and associates to help people affected by the hurricane. Donations may be made in any amount at checkout with all proceeds going to the American Red Cross, enabling them to respond to and help people recover from this disaster. The end date for the campaign will be determined based on customer response.
Another Florida retailer doing its part to help in hurricane relief for the hard-hit state is Southeastern Grocers Inc. (SEG), the parent company of the grocery banners Fresco y Más, Harveys Supermarket, and Winn-Dixie. SEG, together with its charitable arm, SEG Gives Foundation, announced the extension of its community donation program to benefit the American Red Cross and plans for additional relief activations in areas impacted by Hurricane Ian.
Disaster aid from our industry is not just limited to companies based in the state. Hy-Vee, Inc. deployed its Disaster Relief Fleet to locations in Florida impacted by Hurricane Ian. Hy-Vee employees departed from the Hy-Vee Fresh Commissary in Ankeny, IA, in several of the company’s response vehicles with supplies and food to assist with providing up to 1 million meals. The deployed caravan, which consists of Hy-Vee’s mobile command center, Hy-Vee’s mobile water system (which includes a tank and pump trailer), two Hy-Vee rapid response pickup trucks, and nine Hy-Vee semis filled with water, ice, snacks, cleaning supplies and protein, also includes 23 Hy-Vee employees who are taking part in the 12-day response effort. The West Des Moines, IA-based retailer’s disaster relief team has been collaborating with local emergency responders, food banks and nonprofits to assist with efforts specifically in Port Charlotte and Bradenton, Florida. They are also working with Operation BBQ Relief to help provide up to one million meals to those responding to the disaster as well as impacted residents in Florida.
And while Walgreens is headquartered in Deerfield, IL, not only did the company (which is the largest drug store chain in The Sunshine State with more than 820 locations) take proactive measures to assist patients, customers and team members in the Florida communities that were in the projected path of Hurricane Ian before it even hit, and were in its aftermath, it has donated $500,000 each to the Florida Disaster Fund and the American Red Cross Hurricane Fund and is continuing to work with both organizations as well as community partners to donate products and essentials, such as bottled water, consumables, and health and hygiene items. Additionally, it is collecting donations at checkout at all Walgreens nationwide with all proceeds benefiting the American Cross Hurricane Fund and has made disaster support services available to Walgreens team members who may be displaced or in need of additional support.
Also coming in with a huge show of support for the affected communities is Walmart, which, along with its wholesale chain Sam’s Club and its philanthropic organization, Walmart Foundation, has committed up to $6 million to recovery and relief efforts. This commitment includes donations of essential supplies and grants to organizations providing relief on the ground. It also includes contributions that members and associates make at the registers or through its associate giving program, which the Bentonville, AR big box retailer and wholesaler committed to matching 1:1 for up to $2.5 million (which was achieved in just three days). Customers and members will be able to donate to the cause in stores and clubs through October 10. Walmart Health centers in Tampa and Orlando also have been offering complimentary sick or injury exams and many of the retailer’s store parking lots in the impacted areas in Florida are being used to distribute water, food and other resources.
The latest retailer to offer substantial support to Hurricane Ian relief efforts is Target, which just before press time committed $5 million to local and national disaster response partners — its largest storm-related contribution ever. The money will be used to address the immediate needs of residents by providing food, water and other essentials and will also support organizations that will assist with long-term rebuilding efforts across the region including the American Red Cross, Team Rubicon and a variety of local nonprofits. Target stores across the region are also using Target Gift Cards to support local first responders and nonprofit organizations in purchasing much-needed supplies and the company’s Team Member Giving Fund is open to team members experiencing hardship due to the storm.
Kudos to these change-makers for not only providing resources but also hope to its hard-hit communities when they need it most.
Until next month…
Karen can be contacted via email at: [email protected]