Nutrition Policy Basics
What is the goal of nutrition policy?
To improve population nutrition and health through laws and programs.
Which branch of government writes and passes federal nutrition laws?
Legislative branch (Congress)
What is the leading modifiable cause of chronic disease?
Poor diet quality
Which agency regulates the Nutrition Facts Label?
FDA
List three major U.S. nutrition assistance programs.
SNAP, WIC, and NSLP/SBP.
Which two federal agencies oversee most U.S. nutrition policies?
USDA and FDA (also accept: HHS or CDC as secondary answers).
Which branch signs those laws into effect?
Executive branch (President)
Which two chronic diseases are most strongly linked to diet?
Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease (accept “obesity” as third).
What %DV is considered “low”?
5% or less
What year was the NSLP established?
1946
What 1990 law established mandatory nutrition labeling on packaged foods?
Nutrition Labeling and Education Act (NLEA)
Which branch interprets or challenges nutrition policy through legal cases?
Judicial branch (Courts)
According to Matthews & Kurnat-Thoma (2024), which federal policy tool can reduce diet-related deaths?
Sugar-sweetened beverage tax (accept “SNAP produce subsidies”).
What %DV is considered “high”?
20% or more
What is the main purpose of WIC?
To improve nutrition for women, infants, and children
According to Mozaffarian et al. (2018), what shift must governments make to reduce diet-related disease?
Move from education-only approaches to structural policy change (accept “multi-component policy approach”).
Who primarily funds and enforces federal food programs?
USDA (I will also accept HHS for health-related nutrition policies).
Which population is most affected by poor nutrition policy implementation?
Low-income and racial/ethnic minority groups
According to Rummo et al. (2023), how many calories were reduced per transaction after menu labeling?
About 25 fewer calories per transaction.
Which program provides home-delivered or congregate meals for older adults?
Older Americans Act Senior Nutrition Program (Meals on Wheels)
Which U.S. law most directly links agriculture and nutrition assistance?
The Farm Bill (accept “USDA Farm Bill Reauthorization”).
Name one non-governmental actor that heavily influences U.S. nutrition policy.
Food industry lobbyists (also acceptable: “advocacy groups” or “public health organizations”).
Which dietary pattern supports both health and climate resilience (Rifkin 2023)?
Plant-based dietary patterns (Other acceptable answer: “plant-forward diet”).
Which two countries introduced front-of-package warning labels for sugar, sodium, and fat?
Chile & Mexico — to simplify nutrient risk communication and reduce SSB consumption.
What policy risk most threatens SNAP funding stability?
Congressional budget cuts and eligibility restrictions (Also acceptable: “political debates over funding”).