New “Healthy” Criteria Acknowledge Sugar Requirements for Naturally Tart Fruits.

The U.S. Tart Cherry Industry, which comprises 385 producers from family farms across North America, is expressing strong support for the Food and Drug Administration’s newly updated “healthy” ruling.

Announced on January 15, 2025, this revision confirms that tart cherries meet the criteria for the “Healthy” label in specific circumstances, particularly regarding total sugar content.

These modifications follow years of advocacy from both the tart cherry and cranberry industries, each aiming to provide clarity for consumers seeking nutritious food choices.

The tart cherry sector believes this development not only broadens awareness of the fruit’s health benefits but also helps producers maintain high standards for taste and quality while adhering to regulatory guidelines.

The FDA’s revised criteria for what qualifies as “Healthy” are designed to aid consumers in finding foods that contribute to a balanced diet reflecting widely accepted nutrition recommendations.

Under the new rules, manufacturers can voluntarily use the “Healthy” claim on product packaging if the item meets the set criteria.

While these guidelines focus in large part on limiting added sugars, the FDA has recognized that certain products, including tart cherries, require slight sweetening to offset their natural tartness.

This acknowledgment is especially important for dried tart cherries, which possess a lower intrinsic sugar content and are not inherently sweet on their own.

The agency emphasized the unique position of both cranberries and tart cherries by pointing out their valuable nutrient composition.

This statement validates the importance of these fruits, which have gained a reputation for delivering antioxidants, vitamins, and other healthful components.

For tart cherries, specifically, striking the right balance between taste and nutritional value has always been a priority, and the updated guidelines offer a pathway for producers to label their products in a way that is both truthful and consumer friendly.

The industry’s collaboration with cranberry growers was instrumental in arriving at this outcome.

Since 2022, representatives of both groups have worked together to secure bipartisan support for their position, emphasizing that the necessary addition of sugar to these naturally tart fruits should not disqualify them from “Healthy” status, provided other requirements are met.

This partnership was championed by two U.S. senators from Michigan, among others nationwide, who recognized the significance of the proposed rule for the many farms reliant on these crops.

With the FDA’s announcement, producers of tart cherries now have a clear framework that rewards their dedication to nutritious, responsibly crafted products.

From a practical standpoint, the decision to include tart cherries under the “Healthy” designation was guided by comparisons with items like unsweetened raisins and 100% grape juice.

This approach reflects a broader effort to address the variations among different fruits and their natural flavor profiles.

Because tart cherries are not inherently sweet, some sweetening is common practice, but the new criteria ensure that such additions remain within limits that protect consumers’ overall health goals.