Wonderful Pistachios and Almonds and POM Wonderful 100% Pomegranate Juice can be labeled “healthy,” according to an FDA announcement last week. The FDA announced its intention to redefine the use of the term “healthy” as an implied nutrient content claim, based on the latest nutrition science and current Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2015-2020.   

“This is a long overdue step forward for our healthy produce brands,” said Adam Cooper, VP Marketing for Wonderful Pistachios & Almonds, POM Wonderful, and Wonderful Halos. “We’re excited that the FDA is recognizing what we’ve known to be true all along – that our pistachios and almonds are amazingly healthy snacks, and that our high quality pomegranate juice is a healthy beverage.” Cooper added, “To help spread this message, The Wonderful Company is spending more than anyone on encouraging people to make healthy choices with $130MM of marketing this upcoming year.”

Historically, nuts have gotten a bad reputation for their total fat content. However, as nutrition science has borne out, the quality of fat is more important than the total quantity. This is why—even before the final rule is in place—the FDA won’t be enforcing the current definition of “healthy” as an implied nutrient content claim for foods that may not be low in total fat, but whose fats are mostly the heart-healthy mono- and poly-unsaturated type such as those in pistachios and almonds.

There are several reasons pistachios and almonds deserve recognition as a healthy food. Nearly 90-percent of the fat found in pistachios and almonds are the better-for-you unsaturated types. They also provide a good source of protein and fiber. Further, pistachios and almonds are already eligible for the FDA qualified heart-health claim, “Scientific evidence suggests but does not prove that eating 1.5 ounces per day of most nuts, such as pistachios and almonds, as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, may reduce the risk of heart disease.”

POM Wonderful 100% Pomegranate Juice also benefits from FDA’s “healthy” guidance, which now recognizes potassium as an important nutrient that counts toward a food’s “healthy” status. This is in line with the new dietary guidelines and updated nutrition labels. Potassium will soon appear on food labels to encourage Americans to get more of this essential nutrient that is at low levels of intake today. POM Wonderful 100% Pomegranate Juice provides a good source of potassium with 600 mg per 8-oz bottle, zero added sugars and no artificial ingredients. Pure pomegranate juice also boasts polyphenol antioxidants, which are plant compounds that are being actively studied in the areas of athletic performance, memory and cognition, gut health, and more.

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Wonderful Pistachios & Almonds
Wonderful Pistachios & Almonds is the world’s largest vertically integrated pistachio and almond grower and processor. Located in California’s fertile San Joaquin Valley, Wonderful Pistachios & Almonds owns, cultivates and harvests more than 65,000 acres of pistachio and almond orchards. Our world-class operation supplies both industrial and retail customers, offering high-quality, consistent supply and adherence to rigorous food safety standards. Our nuts can be found in stores nationwide under the flagship retail brands of Wonderful® Pistachios® and Wonderful® Almonds®.

POM Wonderful

POM Wonderful is the largest grower and producer of fresh pomegranates and pomegranate juice in the United States as well as the worldwide leader in fresh California pomegranates and pomegranate-based products, including our 100% pomegranate juices, teas, and innovative juice blends. We grow, handpick and juice our own pomegranates to ensure the highest quality. By managing the entire production process from tree to bottle, POM Wonderful guarantees that our products come from only one source—100% California-grown POM Wonderful® pomegranates.

The Wonderful Company

The Wonderful Company is a successful, fast-growing privately held $4 billion company with 7,800 employees worldwide. Our success is reflected in the company’s market share. Wonderful Pistachios is America’s No. 1 tree nut brand and one of the top-selling salty snacks. We’ve turned pomegranates and POM Wonderful into a worldwide phenomenon. Wonderful Halos is the No. 1 mandarin orange in America. FIJI Water is the No. 1 premium bottled water in America. JUSTIN Wine produces California’s top-selling Cabernet Sauvignon and, in 2015, JUSTIN was named “American Winery of the Year” by Wine Enthusiast Magazine. And Teleflora is the world’s largest floral delivery service.

The Wonderful Company has a long-standing commitment to corporate social responsibility, including more than $120 million invested in environmental technologies and sustainability research, $45 million in philanthropic giving and education initiatives every year, $30 million toward the construction of a new charter school campus in California’s Central Valley, and innovative health and wellness programs, including two new, free primary care clinics for employees and their families.

To learn more about The Wonderful Company, its products and core values, visit www.wonderful.com, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.