U.S. Food & Drug Administration Recognizes Walnuts as a 'Healthy' Food

FDA Recognizes Walnuts as a 'Healthy' Food Based on Decades of Health Research

Walnuts have officially been recognized as a "healthy" food by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), thanks to their significant role in recommended dietary patterns. This announcement aligns with more than 30 years of research supporting walnut consumption as part of a nutritious diet.

This new definition, introduced after the historic White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health, is a critical step in ensuring food labeling reflects the latest scientific evidence and Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) to help individuals make healthier food choices.

"The FDA's inclusion of walnuts in the new 'healthy' food definition reaffirms what consumers already know: walnuts are an essential part of a healthy diet," said Robert Verloop, CEO of the California Walnut Commission. "Simply adding walnuts to daily meals could have broad, positive effects on public health."

The 2020-2025 DGA recommends nutrient-dense foods like nuts, including walnuts, but nearly two-thirds of Americans still don't meet the recommended intake for nuts and seeds. Walnuts, rich in polyunsaturated fats and omega-3 ALA, offer heart health benefits and may contribute to improved cognition. They are the only tree nut that provides an excellent source of omega-3 ALA.

"In my 20 years of nutrition practice, walnuts have consistently been one of the top choices for supporting health," said Kristin Kirkpatrick, MS, RDN, and author. "Their plant-based nutrients help reduce chronic disease risk and improve metabolic health."

Walnuts' recognition as a "healthy" food builds on other recent milestones. Earlier in 2024, the USDA's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) updated meal patterns for schools to include plant-protein rich ingredients like walnuts. Furthermore, walnut butter is now included in the updated WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) program, expanding access to nutritious options.

These advancements are the result of over 30 years of global health and nutrition research funded by the California Walnut Commission. Studies continue to explore the potential benefits of walnuts for heart health, cognition, cancer prevention, gut health, weight management, and reproductive health.

Versatile and easy to incorporate into every meal, walnuts are a nutritious addition to snacks and dishes alike. For more information on the health benefits of walnuts and recipe ideas, visit walnuts.org.

About the California Walnut Commission: The California Walnut Commission (CWC) represents over 4,600 California walnut growers and nearly 70 handlers. California walnuts, renowned for their nutritional value and quality, are exported globally, with more than 99% of U.S. walnuts coming from California. Established in 1987, the CWC promotes walnut consumption through market development and supports health research related to walnut benefits.