The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The overarching theme of the 2010 Guidelines is the need to reduce the risk of chronic diseases and the prevalence of overweight and obesity through improved nutrition and physical activity.
In coming months, USDA and HHS will revise their nutrition policies and recommendations, such as the Food Pyramid, based on the Guidelines. Additionally, the report states, “the Dietary Guidelines for Americans has the potential to offer authoritative statements as provided for in the Food and Drug Administration Modernization Act (FDAMA).” Food and beverage companies should review the report carefully for potential FDAMA claims. This summary identifies certain statements in the report that characterize the relationship between certain foods and substances in foods and a reduced risk of chronic disease. (For the full text of this article, visit the February 7, 2011, issue of E-ditionin the E-ditionArchives at www.PreparedFoods.com.)