Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced Wednesday that new U.S. dietary guidelines will be published before August, reducing the document from 164 pages to just four.
Speaking before the House Appropriations Committee’s health subcommittee, Kennedy emphasized a shift toward simplicity and whole foods.
“These guidelines will essentially say: eat whole food, eat what’s good for you,” Kennedy stated. The revamped recommendations aim to make nutrition advice more accessible and actionable for the public.
The new guidelines are jointly developed by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and are updated every five years.
Though the process began under the Biden administration, Kennedy is accelerating the timeline, targeting release months ahead of the statutory year-end deadline.
Kennedy criticized the scientific advisory report that informed the draft guidelines under the previous administration, calling it “incomprehensible” and “overly influenced by the food industry.”
Despite HHS having a limited role in national food policy—most of which falls under the USDA—Kennedy has vowed to lead reform efforts.
He has received backing from Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins and President Donald Trump, particularly in initiatives targeting the removal of synthetic food dyes and revising the nation’s dietary framework.
In addition to overhauling the guidelines, Kennedy said the HHS would investigate food additives and explore clearer labeling on packaging to inform consumers about additive content.
The simplified guidelines will continue to shape key federal nutrition programs, including school lunches and food assistance initiatives.
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