food-based dietary guidelines

In food safety, food-based dietary guidelines are recommendations that tell people what types and amounts of foods to eat for a healthy diet. They are designed to help prevent nutrient deficiencies, reduce the risk of diseases, and promote overall health.

EFSA supports Food-Based Dietary Guidelines (FBDGs) by providing the scientific foundation needed to translate nutrient requirements into practical, food-based advice for Member States. This includes identifying key nutrients, assessing links between diet and health, and structuring recommendations in ways that are clear and understandable for consumers. EFSA also develops and harmonizes data collection methods, such as the EU Menu project, to ensure consistent food consumption data across Europe, which helps inform guideline development. EFSA offers guidance on the principles, steps, and implementation of national FBDGs, helping countries create effective, evidence-based messages that promote public health. Additionally, EFSA contributes to nutrient profiling for EU-wide systems like front-of-pack labelling, assesses the safety of novel foods and ingredients to ensure they do not negatively affect nutritional value, and identifies public health priorities by reviewing diet-related health issues and dietary patterns to highlight the most important nutrients and food groups.