The finalization of the updated definition of the "healthy" nutrient content claim on food packaging has been postponed from February 25 to April 28, following an administrative freeze on new rules initiated by President Donald Trump, according to the Department of Health and Human Services. 

Amid broader federal restructuring, employees from both the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have been laid off; more than 1,100 NIH staff were affected, while the total number of staff affected at the FDA remains unclear.

The proposed regulation aims to revise criteria for using "healthy" on labels, aligning with current nutritional science to promote informed dietary choices and reduce diet-related chronic disease risk. The FDA is also considering a visual symbol for products meeting the updated standards. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to curb diet-related disease prevalence through clearer nutrition labeling. 

Although the decision has been postponed, the 2028 compliance deadline remains unchanged, granting regulators more time for continued evaluation of the proposed rule and its potential public health impact.