The Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion (CNPP) commissioned the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine, Health and Medicine Division to conduct an independent study on the process to update the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (Dietary Guidelines).

Prior to the Health and Medicine Division beginning the study, CNPP held listening sessions with a range of stakeholders, representing health professional and public health organizations, academia, industries, and others. All oral remarks were recorded and the transcript was shared with the Health and Medicine Division prior to its initiation of the study.

The Health and Medicine Division’s study findings are now available on its website. The study culminated in two reports, one on the process for selecting the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee and another on the remaining aspects of the Dietary Guidelines development process.

Now that the study is complete, a second set of listening sessions was held on November 28, 2017, to hear feedback regarding the recent Health and Medicine Division reports. The transcript of the oral remarks and written comments (see below) submitted as part of this set of listening sessions are available to promote transparency.

USDA and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services jointly develop the Dietary Guidelines for Americans every five years. Together, the Departments will carefully consider the reports and stakeholder input on the process.

The Health and Medicine Division’s independent study does not impact the outcome of the 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, as this edition is final.