The FDA Tells Kind Bars to Remove Its "Healthy" Label

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sent a warning letter to Kind in March because at least four of the company's bars do not meet FDA regulations to include the "healthy" label on their packaging. The FDA specifically notes that it reviewed the labels for four Kind bars — Fruit & Nut Almond & Apricot, Fruit & Nut Almond & Coconut, Kind Plus Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate + Protein, and Kind Plus Dark Chocolate Cherry Cashew + Antioxidants — and noted that they "do not meet the requirements for use of the nutrient content claim 'healthy' on a food label."

The reason the FDA says Kind bars aren't healthy enough for the label? Fat content. In order to label a food as healthy, the FDA says the food must contain 1 gram or less saturated fat and no more than 3 grams total fat. The four Kind bars listed contain between 2.5 and 5 grams of saturated fat and between 9 and 13 grams of total fat.

If you're a fan of Kind products, you know that nuts are primary ingredients in the bars. Nuts, like other naturally fatty foods like olive oil and avocado, contain healthy fats that can lower your BMI and even prolong your life.

Besides reviewing the "healthy" claim, the FDA also requested other changes to the bars' label and ingredients lists, such as defining the type of nuts used and calling out saturated fat content. Kind has released a direct response to the FDA's letter saying the company will fully comply with the FDA's request to change the packaging of the four listed bar variations, but it also wants customers to know that they shouldn't question the nutritional value of Kind bars.

"The FDA pointed out a number of items that we're correcting, and there's one that we feel is particularly important to discuss as it cuts to the core of who we are. We've built a brand centered around creating wholesome and great tasting snacks," the Kind team wrote. "We couldn't be more proud of our snack foods and their nutritional benefits. While we make these updates to our packaging and our website, please know that our recipes will stay the same. Our entire line of delicious snacks made with high quality ingredients like whole grains, nuts, and seeds will continue to be available wherever KIND is sold."

While you don't want to go overboard on healthy fats like nuts and avocados, it's important to know that a high number of fat grams does not always mean something is unhealthy. The FDA currently recommends a daily intake of about 65 grams of fat if you're eating a 2,000-calorie diet, and healthy fats are always the better choice over greasy, fried foods. No matter what, eating all types of foods in moderation is the key to a healthy diet.