Taiwan to regulate use of term ‘healthy’ in food product names

Is something labeled healthy, really healthy? Starting July 2022, Taiwan will restrict the use of the term "healthy" in the names of food products. In its newly updated directives, the Food and Drug Administration says it will ban the term "healthy" from product names, unless the product is government-certified health food. Violators can be fined by up to NT$4 million.

Healthy crackers, healthy oatmeal, and even healthy wheat gluten. The products proclaim that they’re good for you. There’s a dizzying array of products these days that tout themselves as “healthy.” Some are marked with the green seal for certified health foods, but some are not. The FDA says that, to prevent consumers from being misled, it will ban the use of the term “healthy” in product names, unless that product is certified healthy by the government.

Lee Wan-chen
FDA section chief
This is to keep consumers from thinking that products labeled “healthy” are healthier than they are. It’s also to preempt the misconception that a given product is a health food. This rule will be enforced in July 2022.

Food manufacturers will have until July 1, 2022 to adjust. Once the policy comes into effect, only certified health foods can use the term “healthy” in their name. Uncertified products can still carry words like “healthy” and “high fiber,” but these promotional labels cannot appear right next to the product name in a manner that could create confusion.

Lee Wan-chen
FDA section chief
If the manufacturer puts the term “healthy” side by side with the product name on the packaging, in a way that misleads consumers, then it falls under our regulatory scope. If a manufacturer violates the rules, it will be fined NT$40,000 to NT$4 million in accordance with the Act Governing Food Safety and Sanitation.

The FDA’s new directive carries a fine of up to NT$4 million for violators. It’s part of push for clearer food labels that allow shoppers to make more informed choices.

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