WASHINGTON, Dec. 22, 2004 - Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman today announced the launch of a new nutrition website designed to help people find answers to nutrition and food related questions.

The site, http://www.nutrition.gov, is a comprehensive source of information on nutrition and dietary guidance from multiple government agencies.

"Health solutions begin with the availability of reliable nutrition and physical activity information the public can use to make good health choices and maintain a healthy weight," Veneman said. "Nutrition.gov is a web based resource that includes databases, recipes, interactive tools and specialized information for infants and children, adult women and men and seniors."

Nutrition.gov supports the President's HealthierUS Initiative and expands on the nutrition information available on the healthierus.gov website, which also includes information on physical fitness, prevention and making healthy choices.

Nutrition.gov includes information provided by USDA, the Department of Health and Human Services, and others. USDA's National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics Advisory Board recommended in 2003 that USDA develop food- and exercise-based strategies for obesity prevention, and coordinate with other Federal agencies toward a national prevention effort. Nutrition.gov is an important tool in that effort.

The nutrition.gov site is maintained by a team of Registered Dietitians and nutrition information specialists at the Food and Nutrition Information Center of USDA's National Agricultural Library (NAL). The team works in cooperation with scientists and professionals at USDA's Agricultural Research Service, USDA Food and Nutrition Service, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and other Federal partners.

The website also links to information on the Food Guide Pyramid, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, dietary supplements, fitness, and how to keep food safe.

The National Agricultural Library (http://www.nal.usda.gov), in Beltsville, Md., is part of the Agricultural Research Service, a USDA scientific research agency.