Dietary Guidelines 2015-2020
Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2015-2020 Use this science-based nutrition guidance for Americans ages 2 and older to promote healthy lifestyles and dietary habits.
Listed below are quick links to FNIC's most popular topics and topics of interest. These links rotate frequently so please check back often.
The Food and Nutrition Information Center (FNIC) is a leader in online global nutrition information. Located at the National Agricultural Library (NAL) of the United States Department of Agriculture, the FNIC website contains over 2500 links to current and reliable nutrition information. FNIC strives to serve the professional community (including educators, health professionals and researchers) by providing access to a wide range of trustworthy food and nutrition resources from both government and non-government sources.
The center itself was started in 1971 (with 2 nutritionists) under a reimbursable agreement between the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the National Agricultural Library (NAL). The mission was to collect and disseminate information about food and human nutrition. The Food and Agriculture Act of 1977 (Farm Bill) established the Food and Nutrition Information and Education Resources Center (later known as the Food and Nutrition Information Center, or FNIC) as a permanent entity within NAL (see p.26 of PDF).
The FNIC website provides information about food and human nutrition. The materials found on this website are not intended to be used for the diagnosis or treatment of a health problem or as a substitute for consulting a licensed health professional.
The use of trade, firm, or corporation names in this website (or in website pages) is for the information and convenience of the reader. Such use does not constitute an official endorsement or approval by USDA or the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) of any product or service to the exclusion of others that may be suitable. Likewise, some databases available on the FNIC website include resources from "non-government entities." Inclusion of these materials in a database does not constitute endorsement or recommendation by FNIC or the U.S. Government.
Online: If you have a question related to food and nutrition please use the Ask a Question form.
In person: FNIC Specialists can assist you Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. EST at the National Agricultural Library (NAL) in Beltsville, Maryland.
By phone: Call (301) 504-5414 to talk to an Information Specialist
By mail:
Food and Nutrition Information Center
USDA ARS National Agricultural Library
10301 Baltimore Avenue,
Beltsville, MD 20705-2351