For the first time, the U.S.D.A. and H.H.S. are seeking public comments on the proposed priority topics and supporting scientific questions that will guide the development of the upcoming 2020-2025 edition of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

This new public comment stage at the beginning of the DGA development process was expected to help maintain the integrity of the process and ensure transparency in communicating the topics that meet the priorities of federal nutrition programs. The new approach should allow for more public participation during this multiyear development process, according to the USDA and HHS. It also should improve customer service by being more responsive to stakeholder recommendations and feedback, the agencies said.

Brandon Lipps, acting deputy undersecretary food food, nutrition, and consumer services at the USDA

“The American taxpayer is an essential customer – indeed, a shareholder,” said Brandon Lipps, acting deputy undersecretary for food, nutrition, and consumer services at the USDA, the administrative lead for the 2020-2025 DGA. “We’re proud to be taking this important step forward toward greater transparency and ensuring that the American public’s voice is heard throughout this process.”

The USDA and HHS are proposing a life stage approach for this edition of the DGA, focusing on priority scientific questions from birth through older adulthood. The 2014 Farm Bill mandated that, starting with the 2020-2025 edition, the DGA provides guidance for women who are pregnant, as well as infants and toddlers from birth to 24 months. In addition to a focus on life stages, the topics and supporting questions for public comment reflect a continued attention on patterns of what we eat and drink as a whole, on average and over time, not on individual foods or food groups.

Don Wright, Ph.D., deputy assistant secretary for health at HHS.

“We know that good nutrition together with physical activity can help decrease Americans’ risk of developing serious health conditions across the life span,” said Don Wright, Ph.D., deputy assistant secretary for health at HHS. “The Dietary Guidelines for Americans help support healthy choices at home, school, work, and in the community. That’s why we are encouraging the public and stakeholders in nutrition to submit comments up front to help inform the next edition of the guidelines.”

The 2020-2025 DGA topics that the USDA and HHS proposed are based on four criteria:

1. Relevance — The topic is within the scope of the DGA and its focus on food-based recommendations, not clinical guidelines for medical treatment.
2. Importance — The topic has new, relevant data and represents an area of substantial public health concern, uncertainty, and/or knowledge gap.
3. Potential federal impact — There is a probability that guidance on the topic would inform federal food and nutrition policies and programs.
4. Avoiding duplication — The topic is not currently addressed through existing evidence-based federal guidance (other than the Dietary Guidelines).

The USDA and HHS will consider all public comments submitted in finalizing the list of topics and supporting questions to be examined in the development of the 2020-2025 DGA.

After finalizing the topics and supporting questions, the USDA and HHS will post a public call for the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee nominations. The areas of expertise needed will be based on the final topics and supporting scientific questions, resulting in a coordinated and efficient scientific review, the agencies said.