U.S. FDA expands use of "lean" label for foods

Packaged foods like sandwiches, egg rolls and pizza can qualify to be labeled "lean" under a ruling Thursday by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The labeling change was proposed by Nestle, the world's largest food company and maker of Lean Cuisine frozen foods.

In the past, such products were excluded from using the term "lean" on their labels under guidelines that excluded "mixed dishes not measurable with a cup" that weighed less than 6 ounces.

The new ruling lets the "lean" label be put on products that contain less than 8 grams of total fat, up to 3.5 milligrams of saturated fat, and less than 80 milligrams of salt in a serving.

The FDA said in its order that it is taking action to "provide reliable information that would assist consumers in maintaining healthy dietary practices."

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