The Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion (CNPP) is an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture created on December 1, 1994, and is the focal point within the USDA where scientific research is linked with the nutritional needs of the American public. The U.S. Department of Agriculture, also called the Agriculture Department, or USDA, is a Cabinet department of the United States Federal Government. ... December 1 is the 335th (in leap years the 336th) day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1994 (MCMXCIV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated as the International Year of the Family and the International Year of the Sport and the Olympic Ideal. // Events January Bill Clinton January 1 : North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) goes into effect. ... It has been suggested that Diet (nutrition) be merged into this article or section. ...

The creation of the Center came at a time when the American public was becoming increasingly aware of the importance of diet, yet was receiving conflicting nutrition messages. The Center, therefore, serves as a touchstone where the public is assured that the nutrition guidance they receive is based on sound research and analysis. In nutrition, the diet is the sum of the food consumed by an organism. ...

The Center reports to the Office of the Under Secretary of Agriculture for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services. The staff of the Center is composed primarily of nutritionists, nutrition scientists, and economists, all of whom were chosen for their expertise. An economist is an individual who studies, develops, and applies theories and concepts from economics, and writes about economic policy. ...

The Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion carries out its mission by:

• Developing and coordinating nutrition policy within the USDA
• Assessing the cost-effectiveness of government-sponsored nutrition programs on food consumption, food expenditures, food-related behavior, and nutritional status
• Preparing periodic updates on the cost of family food plans and of raising children
• Investigating techniques for effective nutrition communication for Americans
• Evaluating the Nutrient Content of the U.S. Food Supply. One of the government's longest running historical studies begun in 1909, it documents the amounts of nutrients which are available to American consumers.

The Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion publishes the Family Economics and Nutrition Review; twice per year and is available by subscription. In addition, the Center publishes a variety of other dietary guidance materials for the general public and nutrition and health educators, as well as Expenditures on Children by Families. 1909 (MCMIX) was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ...

In conjunction with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Center publishes the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The Center also maintains and updates the Thrifty Food Plan, which serves as the nutritional basis for determination of Food Stamp Program benefits. The United States Department of Health and Human Services, often abbreviated HHS, is a Cabinet department of the United States government with the goal of protecting the health of all Americans and providing essential human services. ... The Food Stamp Program is a program that provides food to low income people living in the United States. ...

There has been some controversy regarding the Centre's impartiality due to its being a part of the USDA and therefore its dietary recommendations can be criticised for being influenced by agricultural concerns^{[citation needed]}.

External links

• Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion. Retrieved on October 10, 2005.