AICR champions the latest and most authoritative research on lifestyle and cancer. We advocate for federal guidelines to integrate this research into their recommendations.
In 1980, the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and US Department of Agriculture (USDA) released the first Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA), nutritional and dietary recommendations for Americans that are updated every five years. The DGA serve as a basis for what Americans should generally eat as well as provide a basis for federal food and nutrition programs. AICR actively engaged in the 2020-2025 DGA development process, advocating for guidelines that reflect the evidence on diet, body weight, alcohol and cancer risk.
How We Are Taking Action
Dietary Guidelines for Americans
Work is underway to develop the 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, and AICR is engaged at every step of the process. AICR will continue to provide evidence regarding the diet, alcohol, and cancer connection and recommend that the DGA utilize the latest and most authoritative cancer prevention research.
Key Recommendations
AICR recognizes the importance of the DGA in supporting a healthful diet for prevention of cancer and other chronic conditions. As such, we recommend that the DGA:
- Reflect the most up-to-date evidence on dietary patterns and cancer risk as described in AICR’s Continuous Update Project (CUP) reports.
- Provide guidance to limit intake of alcohol and red and processed meats and increase the proportion of grains that are whole grains, given the established evidence on the relationship between these dietary components and cancer risk.
- Utilize its in development process systematic reviews and meta-analyses from authoritative experts outside of the federal government, such as the evidence provided in Diet, Nutrition, Physical Activity and Cancer: a Global Perspective, AICR and World Cancer Research Fund’s Third Expert Report, and its CUP reports that contain the most authoritative scientific research on cancer prevention and survivorship to date.
- Be developed using a transparent, public process and free from industry influence.
Comments We Have Submitted:
Below are the comments we have sent to the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC) and the agencies responsible for developing the guidelines, emphasizing AICR’s evidence pertaining to diet and cancer.
2025-2030 DGA Update:
2020-2025 DGA Update:
- Our Comments on the Research Questions Examined by the DGAC July 2019
- Sign-on Letter to DGAC Asking Them to Include External Research July 2019
- Our Comments on the Dietary Patterns and Cancer Protocol November 2019
- Our Comments on Prioritizing the Remaining Protocols February 2020
- Our Comments on Specific Dietary Patterns and Cancer Concerns Prior to the Release of the DGAC Final Report March 2020
- Our Comments on the DGAC’s Final Scientific Report August 2020
- Sign-On Letter Supporting the DGAC’s Final Alcohol Recommendation November 2020
Coalitions Helping Us Achieve This Goal
- National Alliance for Nutrition and Activity
The National Alliance for Nutrition and Activity (NANA) coalition, is a group of health-promoting organizations that advocate for policies aimed at improving healthy eating and physical activity in order to prevent and reduce chronic disease. We provide our unique research and evidence-based recommendations on how healthy eating can impact cancer risk and survivorship.
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