Nutrition.gov Web Site

Information about the Nutrition.gov Web Site structure, how to search, the linking policies, and graphics available for use are included below.

Web site structure:

The Web site is structured using browsable subjects with subtopics, which were developed by the National Agricultural Library's Food and Nutrition Information Center (FNIC). Explore these subjects to find information and resources you are looking for or use the Site Map to view the subtopics within each subject.

How do I search Nutrition.gov?

To use the Nutrition.gov search feature, enter a search term or phrase into the space provided and click “Go” to process the search. A search term is any specific concept, name, or category about which you would like to find information.

If you want to search for a specific phrase, use quotation marks around the phrase as in the following example: “dietary guidelines"

Please note that in most cases Nutrition.gov does not contain information about specific brand names of nutritionally related products. To retrieve relevant articles, you will need to search for the ingredient(s) in or concepts surrounding a specific product.

For more tips on searching, click the "Search Tips" located under the search box on the left side menu.

Linking Policy:

Potential web site links are considered through a review process. They are evaluated as to appropriateness within the scope of trained nutrition professionals, most of whom are Registered Dietitians. The Nutrition.gov staff evaluates all suggested links using the following criteria:

• Quality and Content
  1. Content: Material should be presented in an objective, balanced manner. Information should be referenced and verifiable.
  2. Scope: The subject matter of the site should focus on food, nutrition or food safety.
  3. Authorship/Authority: The author of the Web site should be clearly stated, well defined and reputable.
  4. External Links: Links available from the site should be reputable, up-to-date and dependable to the extent that can be reasonably determined.
  5. Currency/Timeliness of Information: The information on the site should be current and well maintained.

• Site Mechanics
  1. Navigability - It should be easy to find information on the site. Headings should be clear and relevant to the information under them.
  2. Searchability - The site should have search capability that produces accurate results (unless it is a very small site or link will be to a specific document such as a brochure or fact sheet).
  3. Contact Information – Contact information should be available to communicate with the owner of site (i.e. comments section, email address, mailing address, telephone number)
  4. Personal Information – if user’s personal information is requested, the site should explain exactly how the information will and will not be used. Privacy policy should be clearly visible.

• Additional Features
  1. Graphics and Layout - Graphics, illustrations and other multimedia designs should enhance the site and load within a reasonable length of time. They should not distract the user or substitute for content.
  2. Software and Hardware - The site should incorporate appropriate use of graphics, audio and/or video. If use of special plug-ins or programs is required they must be available on the site with clear and easy instructions.
  3. Uniqueness - The site should offer something unique to the NG site

Nutrition.gov links to any Federal government Web site that meets our evaluation criteria. Acceptable Web site domains include .gov, .mil and .fed.us.

Link to Nutrition.gov:

We do allow people/organizations to link to Nutrition.gov Web as it is in the public domain. You may link to the Nutrition.gov Web site without prior permission. The images below are available for use as graphic links to our site. Simply right-click while your mouse is at rest over the image you wish to download and choose Save Picture As.

Please read our "Privacy Policy" along the bottom of this page