The Food Guide Pyramid Update

PROPOSED FOOD GUIDE Graphic and Education Materials

CNPP has initiated a broad-based review and update of the Pyramid, including its suggested food intake patterns, its graphic presentation, and new educational materials for professionals and consumers. A previous Federal Register notice (September, 2003—see below) described proposed revisions for the food intake patterns.  The new Federal Register notice (July 2004) announces the proposed Food Guidance System for the food guide’s graphic presentation and education materials.  It also solicits comments on the proposed system and announces a public meeting on August 19, 2004 for oral comments.  Comments are welcomed on all aspects of the proposed Food Guidance System and are specifically requested on six topics described in the notice.

Written comments no longer accepted

Text of July 2004 Federal Register Notice

This notice solicits comments on the proposed Food Guidance System and announces a public meeting for oral comments.  It also identifies areas of particular interest to CNPP for comments.

The notice is in PDF format; to view and print, download and install the free Adobe Acrobat Reader on your own computer. 

All comments in response to the Federal Register notice should be sent to: 

Food Guide Pyramid Reassessment Team

USDA Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion

3101 Park Center Drive, Room 1034

Alexandria, VA 22302

Electronic comments will not be accepted.

Press and background materials for July 2004 Federal Register notice

Click here for comments received in response to the July 2004 notice

SEPTEMBER 2003 FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICE ON TECHNICAL REVISIONS

An earlier Federal Register notice solicited comments on proposed revisions to the food intake patterns that form the basis for the Food Guide Pyramid.  This earlier notice referenced additional explanatory information, including Tables 1-5 (below) showing the proposed new patterns and accompanying technical data, and the additional information link provides more documents that may be of interest about the revision and the Pyramid.

Previous Federal Register Notice—September 2003

Click here for comments received in response to the September 2003 notice

Additional information related to the previous (September 2003) Federal Register notice:

Press Release, Backgrounder, Q&A's, and Additional Information

Table 1:  Proposed Daily Food Intake Patterns

This document lists the daily amounts of food from each Pyramid food group and subgroup in proposed food patterns at multiple energy levels.

Table 2:  Energy Levels for Proposed Food Intake Patterns

This document lists the target and suggested energy levels for the food intake patterns for various age/gender groups, based on Estimated Energy Requirements set by the National Academy of Sciences Institute of Medicine. 

Table 3:  Nutritional Goals for Proposed Daily Food Intake Patterns

This document lists the nutritional goals for each proposed food intake pattern. These goals include targets for vitamins, minerals, and macronutrients as well as acceptable intake ranges for macronutrients for various age/gender groups. 

Table 4:  Nutrient Profiles of Food Guide Pyramid Food Groups and Subgroups

These profiles identify the nutritional composition of each group or subgroup, using a weighted average of the nutrients supplied by the foods in that group, with weights based on nationwide consumption of each food item.  Nutrient profiles are also included for additional solid fats, oils and soft margarines, and for added sugars. 

Table 5:  Nutrients in Proposed Food Intake Patterns

This table identifies the overall nutrient composition for each proposed food pattern and how this nutrient composition compares to the nutritional goals set for that pattern.