How Much Cholesterol Must a Food Have to Be Labeled Healthy by the FDA?

Liam Webb

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The amount of cholesterol in a food product is one of the important factors taken into consideration by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) when determining whether or not a food can be labeled healthy. Depending on the particular product and its other ingredients, the FDA has established a threshold for how much cholesterol can be present in order for it to be considered healthy.

Cholesterol is an essential part of our diet, but too much can be unhealthy. The FDA has established a recommended daily intake (RDI) of 300mg/day for individuals over the age of two. This amount is based on research that suggests that consuming more than this amount increases the risk for heart disease, stroke, and other health issues associated with high cholesterol levels.

When evaluating foods for their healthfulness, the FDA takes into account both the total amount of cholesterol present in a product as well as any additional added ingredients which may contain cholesterol. If a food contains more than 20mg per serving, it must carry a warning label that states that it may not be suitable for those at risk of heart disease or high cholesterol levels. If a food contains more than 40mg per serving, it cannot be labeled healthy by the FDA regardless of any additional ingredients it contains.

For example, if a food contains 45mg of cholesterol per serving, but also has added dietary fiber or omega-3 fatty acids which are known to have beneficial effects on heart health, it would still not meet the requirements to be labeled as healthy by the FDA.

The FDA does make allowances for certain types of foods which naturally contain higher levels of cholesterol but are still considered healthy choices due to their other nutritional benefits. Eggs are an example of this; although they contain around 200mg of cholesterol per egg yolk, they are still considered healthy because they are rich in essential nutrients such as protein and vitamin D.

In conclusion, the FDA requires that foods have less than 20mg per serving in order to be labeled as healthy. Foods with higher amounts may still offer beneficial nutritional qualities but will not meet FDA guidelines to receive this designation.

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