DGA 2025-2030 public comments open in April  

By: Sydney Sheffield 

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) are publishing proposed scientific questions to inform the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) 2025-2030. This is the first step in the development process of the DGA. The public comment period will be open for 30 days, starting April 15, 2022. 

The DGA provides science-based advice on what to eat and drink to promote health, reduce the risk of chronic disease, and meet nutrient needs. It is designed for policymakers and nutrition and health professionals to help all individuals and their families consume a healthy, nutritionally adequate diet. The information in the DGA is used to develop, implement, and evaluate federal food, nutrition, and health policies. It also is the basis for federal nutrition education materials designed for the public and for the nutrition education components of HHS and USDA nutrition programs.

The process of developing the DGA is a 5-step, multi-year procedure. First, USDA and HHS propose scientific questions based on the relevance, importance, potential federal impact, and avoiding duplication of previous editions. After the 30-day public comment period, USDA and HHS will consider the public comments and revise the questions. 

Second, the USDA and HHS will appoint the Advisory Committee, which will be tasked with answering the proposed questions and creating the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee Scientific Report. During 2020-2025, Teresa Davis, ASAS President-Elect was a member of the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee. When the committee’s scientific report is finalized, USDA and HHS will review the evidence found by the committee and develop the DGA. The final step is to implement the DGA. 

Public comments will be accepted through Regulations.gov. HHS and USDA will consider all public when prioritizing the scientific questions to be examined by the Committee to inform the development of the DGA 2025-2030. Following the public comment period, HHS and USDA will seek nominations for the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee from the public. The public can register to receive email updates on the DGA development process and other related news, including future opportunities for public involvement.

Check out the 2020-2025 edition of the DGA here.