RFK Dietary Guidelines: Behind-the-Scenes Creation Process
New Dietary Guidelines to Be Released Early by Kennedy Jr.’s HHS
Table of Contents
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced in early May that the updated Dietary Guidelines for Americans will be released ahead of schedule, perhaps by the end of the summer of 2024. The guidelines were originally due at the end of 2025.
What are the Dietary Guidelines for Americans?
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans are a set of recommendations updated every five years by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to inform federal food and nutrition programs and policies. they provide advice on what people should eat and drink to promote health, reduce the risk of chronic disease, and meet nutrient needs.
The guidelines are developed based on a thorough review of current scientific evidence. A Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee, composed of nutrition experts, reviews the science and provides recommendations to the Secretaries of USDA and HHS, who then finalize the guidelines. The process includes public comment periods.
The first edition of the Dietary Guidelines was published in 1980. More data about the history and process can be found on the USDA website: Dietary Guidelines History.
Why the Accelerated Timeline?
Secretary Kennedy Jr. indicated the accelerated timeline was a result of a fast-paced collaborative effort within the HHS. While specific reasons for the push were not detailed in the initial announcement, it suggests a prioritization of updating nutritional guidance. He made the announcement to President Biden in early May.
This move comes amidst ongoing debate about the composition of the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee and concerns raised by some groups about the influence of industry on the guidelines. In 2023, the USDA faced criticism regarding the selection process for the 2025-2030 committee, with some alleging a lack of openness. Reuters inquiry into the Dietary Guidelines details some of thes concerns.
Potential Areas of Change
While the specific changes to the guidelines remain unknown, experts anticipate potential updates related to sugar consumption, saturated fat recommendations, and the role of plant-based diets. The 2020-2025 guidelines recommend limiting added sugars to less than 10% of daily calories. the full 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines are available for review.
there is also growing interest in incorporating more personalized nutrition recommendations based on individual genetic and metabolic factors. The National Institutes of health (NIH) is actively funding research in this area. NIH Office of Dietary supplements provides information on ongoing research.