By Jennifer Dorsett
Field Editor
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently posted the 2020 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee’s final scientific report.
Now, USDA and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) are asking for public comment as the agencies move to the next step in the process of co-developing the 2020-2025 U.S. Dietary Guidelines, which are expected to be released at the end of 2020.
“Science-based dietary guidance is critical to ensuring a healthy future for America,” USDA Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services Deputy Undersecretary Brandon Lipps said. “USDA greatly appreciates the high-quality work done by this committee comprised of our nation’s leading scientists and dietary experts. We look forward to thoroughly reviewing the report and leveraging their scientific advice as we partner with HHS to develop the next edition of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.”
The dietary guidelines are developed once every five years and provide recommendations to help Americans make healthy choices about food and beverages.
The 2020-2025 dietary guidelines development process is more transparent than ever, according to a USDA press release that noted a webinar hosted by the advisory committee publicly presented and discussed draft conclusions. This was the first webinar of its kind in the process to develop dietary guidelines.
The topics and questions examined by the committee were also made public prior to scientific review.
USDA and HHS are accepting written public comments on the committee’s final report through Aug. 13. The public will also have an opportunity to provide oral comments on the scientific report to the departments at a public meeting on Aug. 11.
The agencies will use the comments from the public and other federal agencies, along with the scientific advice from the advisory committee’s report, to develop the upcoming edition of the guidelines.
Click here to register for the upcoming public meeting, and click here to submit a comment.