WASHINGTON -- The Food and Drug Administration yesterday finalized a rule that will let smaller handheld foods -- until now prohibited from using the word “lean” on their labels -- begin adding the term. This means items like pizza slices, burritos and egg rolls can be classified “lean,” provided they meet the FDA‘s requirements: fewer than 8 grams of total fat, no more than 3.5 milligrams of saturated fat, and fewer than 80 milligrams of salt per serving. In its final rule, FDA said such products deserve the opportunity to market themselves as lean because they “have found their way into the American diet and serve as a convenient ‘meals-on-the-go‘ eating option that is consistent with America's changing lifestyle.” The agency also noted that small, portable foods have become a standard purchase for most consumers, and “FDA believes that portable food products, particularly those that are nutrient- and portion-controlled, serve a useful purpose in assisting consumers in selecting a diet that is consistent with current dietary recommendations.”
