Nutrition Policy in Transition

Abstract: Nutrition policies aim to guarantee the availability, safety and nutritional quality of food to a population. Changes in nutrition policy reflect new knowledge implicating diet to chronic disease; food policies have become more nutrition-conscious. A survey of the state of nutrition policy illustrates new policy concerns and the transitional nature of current policy-making. Competition between political and economic forces affecting national policy goals in the U.S., Norway, United Kingdom and Canada are examined. Other topics include: the nutritional status of the U.S. and Texas population; federal food assistance programs in Texas; nutritional needs and food service for institutionalized groups; nutrition education as a policy strategy for solving nutrition problems; and nutrition services in health care emphasizing the diet-health link. Case studies of nutrition policy in 5 states exemplify the need for each state to develop a framework which fits its own agricultural, economic and social conditions, and population needs.