Officials in the Departments of Agriculture and of Health and Human Services last week announced they will accept more public and stakeholder comments in the development process for the 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. For the first time, the departments will seek comments on the proposed priority topics and related scientific questions that the advisory committee will consider when making recommendations for the new edition, a move the officials said will help ensure transparency in the process.

In the past, USDA and HHS began the process of updating the Dietary Guidelines by establishing an advisory committee that would make informed recommendations for the agencies to consider as they develop the new guidelines. This year, the departments said that finalizing the topics and questions first will help them determine the expertise needed on the advisory committee and ultimately streamline their work.

USDA and HHS will use the committee’s recommendations, as well as future written and oral comments from the public, to craft the final 2020 Dietary Guidelines.

IDFA is seeking member input before submitting comments, which are due March 30. IDFA invites members to join its Nutrition Working Group and share feedback by contacting Michelle Matto, R.D.N., IDFA’s nutrition and labeling consultant, at amfoodnutrition@gmail.com