With so many words and claims on the front of food packaging, it can be difficult for consumers—and even health professionals—to distinguish between regulated claims and marketing language. Updated regulatory guidance on the use of the term “healthy” provides a clearer signal of desirable nutritional attributes, and many soy foods meet the criteria.
On December 19, 2024, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published its final rule, Nutrient Content Claims, Definition of Term: Healthy. The final regulations establish a two-part framework for foods to bear the voluntary “healthy” claim. To qualify, a food must:
- Contain a certain amount of food group from at least one food group or subgroup recommended by the Dietary Guidelines (e.g., fruits, vegetables, fat-free and low-fat dairy, etc.); and
- Adhere to specific limits for saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars.
Overall, many soy foods are well-positioned to qualify for the “healthy” nutrient content claim. One reason many soy foods qualify for this nutrient claim is because plant sources (such as soy) are naturally low in cholesterol and saturated fat. Recognizing this, the saturated fat that is naturally occurring in foods in the nuts, seeds, and soy products subgroup is excluded from the saturated fat limit of ≤5% DV per RACC (or per 50 g for RACCs ≤50 g or ≤3 Tbsp) for nuts, seeds, and soy products.
This table outlines which soy foods qualify for the “healthy” nutrient content claim.
| Soy Food | Qualify for “healthy” claim? |
| Soybean Oil | Yes. Oils by themselves count as a qualifying food group for the “healthy” claim. |
| Tofu | Yes. Meets the protein food group criteria and is excluded from saturated fat limits, given the agency’s exclusion of saturated fat for soy products. |
| Tempeh | Yes. Meets protein food group criteria and is excluded from saturated fat limits given the agency’s exclusion of saturated fat for soy products. |
| Edamame (unsalted or low sodium) | Yes. Meets vegetable food group criteria. |
| Soy Nuts (unsalted or low sodium) | Yes. Meets the food group criteria for nuts, seeds, and soy products. |
| Soynut Butter | Potentially. Qualifies if it meets the following nutrient criteria for nuts, seeds, and soy. Added Sugar: 5% DV Sodium: 10% DV Saturated Fat: N/A*limit is excluded for soy. |
| Soymilk | Potentially. Qualifies if it meets nutrient limits for added sugar, saturated fat, and sodium. Note: most unsweetened or lightly sweetened soymilks meet the added sugar limit of 10% DV. |
| Soy Yogurt | Potentially. Qualifies if it meets the nutrient limits for added sugar, saturated fat, and sodium. Note: most soy yogurts meet the added sugar limit of 10% DV. |
| Soy-based meat alternatives (burgers, crumbles, sausages, strips) | Potentially. These products must be evaluated under the criteria for mixed foods to determine whether or not they qualify as “healthy.” Because nutrient composition varies widely, some soy-based meat alternatives meet these criteria, but not all. Due to the final rule’s exclusion of the saturated fat inherent in nuts, seeds, and soy products, the saturated fat contributions in soy-based chicken nuggets, for example, would only be counted from sources outside of nuts, seeds, and soy. |
In 2026, the FDA indicated they plan to assess whether changes to the “healthy” claim are necessary to align with the 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans and continue work to implement the updated criteria, including by advancing a potential guidance that identifies a symbol to depict the ”healthy” claim.
Review the detailed criteria by clicking here.
This blog is supported by SNI Global and U.S. Soy.
