Food and Nutrition Information Center

Listed below are quick links to FNIC's most popular topics and topics of interest. These links rotate frequently so please check back often.

• Dietary Reference Intakes
• Sign up for the FNIC Nutrition Talk Email List
• USDA Food Composition Databases
• Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Food and Nutrition Research Briefs
• Mobile App DRI Calculator for Health Professionals
• How to Understand and Use the Nutrition Facts Label
• International Food Composition Resources
• FAO Food Based Dietary Guidelines

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

• The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued advice regarding fish consumption. This advice is geared toward helping women who are pregnant or may become pregnant – as well as breastfeeding mothers and parents of young children – make informed choices when it comes to fish that is healthy and safe to eat.
• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that USDA's free online tool, SuperTracker, has incorporated the President's Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition's (PCFSN) Presidential Champions program as an additional incentive to motivate Americans to be more physically active.
• FDA has started a public process to redefine the "healthy" nutrient content claim for food labels.  The FDA has extended the comment period on the use of the term “healthy” in the labeling of food products to April 26, 2017. Federal Register Notice Announcing the Extension of the Comment Period
• FDA Issued a Request for Information on Fiber on the Nutrition Facts Label. Comments may be submitted to FDA by February 8, 2017 (30 days extension from January 9 deadline).