NEWS RELEASE

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion
3101 Park Center Drive, Room 1034, Alexandria, VA 22302

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John Webster (703) 305-7600

2010 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee Meeting to Be Webcast April 29-30

WASHINGTON, April 16, 2009 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- To provide greater public access to discussions and deliberations involving the review and update of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, the Department of Agriculture today announced that the third meeting of the 2010 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee will be web-streamed live on April 29th and 30th.

A notice regarding registration for the online webinar appears in the April 14 Federal Register. The Committee will meet on April 29th from 1:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. EDT and on April 30th from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EDT.

"This marks the first time we have used the webinar format. We are pleased that webcasting technology will allow hundreds of persons from across the Nation to hear the deliberations first hand and see the slide presentations of the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee without the expense of having to come to Washington," said Dr. Robert Post, Acting Executive Director of the USDA Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion. "This Administration is committed to keeping this an open and transparent process, and the use of live streaming technology will assure the public that the new 2010 Dietary Guidelines will be free of bias and will be based on the latest, evidence-based science available."

Written comments by individuals or organizations for the Committee continue to be accepted. However, comments must be received by no later than 5:00 p.m. EDT on April 23, 2009, for consideration at this meeting. For more detailed information on how to register for the online webinar and to submit comments, go to www.DietaryGuidelines.gov to see the Federal Register notice.

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans are jointly issued and updated every 5 years by the Departments of Agriculture and Health and Human Services. They provide authoritative advice for people two years and older about how good dietary habits can promote health and reduce risk for major chronic diseases.

The 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans will remain in effect until the 2010 Dietary Guidelines are published, which is expected in late 2010.