How were the Dietary Guidelines developed?
The Dietary Guidelines were prepared in a three-stage process. First, a 13-member Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee drew up a report based on the best available science. Next, government scientists and officials reviewed the advisory committee’s report and, based on the report and agency and public comments, developed the Dietary Guidelines. In the third stage, experts worked to translate the Dietary Guidelines into meaningful messages for the public and educators. The three-stage process was created to ensure that the best available science, including medical science, was the foundation of the Guidelines. It allowed the advisory committee members to use their expertise and base their recommendations solely on the evidence-based review of the literature. The advisory committee was not responsible for developing policy or consumer-friendly messages.
