The federal government’s war on sugar won’t sour efforts by the cherry industry to find a healthy future.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which after 30 years is changing the definition of “healthy” as allowed on food labels, has determined that dried cherries may continue to be labeled as healthy despite their sugar supplements. The new definition will go into effect in 2028.
“We’re thrilled and we applaud the FDA for working on this with us,” said Emily Miezio, a cherry. Grower and Suttons Bay Township resident who is chairwoman of the Cherry Marketing Institute and treasurer of the Michigan Cherry Committee. “We’ve had broad support from senators across the aisle, and we had many people who commented. It was a grassroots effort.”
