Hero Image

Public Comments

Federal agencies develop rules and regulations to implement laws passed by Congress. By law, the agencies are required to open public comment periods for input from the public during the rule-making process. The Nutrition Policy Institute often submits public comments related to our research on public health nutrition and physical activity programs and policies.

Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)

Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025-2030

  • National Drinking Water Alliance with collaborating organizations submitted comments to the 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee on: (1) including recommendations in the 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee Report about the importance of promoting and enabling consumption of plain water as a critical part of the strategy to reduce consumption of sugary drinks, and (2) adding a symbol for drinking water to the MyPlate graphic. (10/7/24)
  • Comments to the 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee on proposed possible modifications to recommendations on limits for added sugars and saturated fat intake in the 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee Report. (10/6/24)
  • Comments to the US Department of Health and Human Services and US Department of Agriculture regarding scientific questions related to sugar-sweetened beverages and drinking water to be examined to support the development of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2025-2030. (5/16/22)

Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025

  • National Drinking Water Alliance with collaborating organizations submitted comments to the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC) recommending the guidelines and all education materials for the guidelines provider clear, actionable advice to the American public to drink water in lieu of sugar-sweetened beverages (8/12/20) 
  • Comments to the DGAC on the recommended nutrition guidelines for pregnant and lactating women and children from birth to 24 months (1/14/20)
  • National Drinking Water Alliance with collaborating organizations and individuals submitted comments to the DGAC on adding a symbol for water on MyPlate and making clear recommendations for drinking water as the beverage of choice (1/15/20)
  • Comments on the Nutrition Evidence Library how the Guidelines can better ensure nutritional sufficiency for all Americans (1/3/17)
  • National Drinking Water Alliance submitted comments on including recommendations for healthy beverage habits in the Guidelines (12/23/16)

Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2015-2020

  • Best of science letter on drinking water (9/10/14)

Drinking Water Regulations

  • Comments on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Lead and Copper Rule (7/29/21)

Infant Formula Labeling

  • Comments on infant formula labeling (10/25/16)
  • Comments to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on misbranded “transition formula” products (7/28/20)
  • Comments to the US FDA on public health harms of "transition formulas" and "toddler milks" (12/9/20)

Nutrition Facts Label

  • Comments on updating Nutrition Facts Label (5/26/17)

School Meal Programs

  • Testimony on "California Universal School Meals Oversight & Proposals" (3/20/24)
  • Comments on "Child Nutrition Programs: Revisions to Meal Patterns Consistent With the 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans" (5/8/23) 
  • Comments on "Restoration of Milk, Whole Grains, and Sodium Flexibilities" (12/27/20)
  • Comments on "Simplifying Meal Service and Monitoring Requirements in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs" (4/22/20)
  • Comments on "Child Nutrition Programs: Flexibilities for Milk, Whole Grains, and Sodium Requirements" (1/29/18)

Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC)

  • Comments on the USDA proposed revisions to the WIC food package (2/21/23)

Strategies to Reduce Added Sugars Consumption in the United States

  • Comments to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition on strategies to reduce added sugars consumption in the United States (1/22/24)

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) 

  • Comments on the USDA proposed rule that would revise SNAP regulations to standardize the methodology for calculating standard utility allowances (12/2/19)
  • Comments on the USDA's proposed rule that would revise the definition of categorical eligibility in the SNAP, second comment period (11/1/19)
  • University of California comments on the USDA proposed rule that would revise the definition of categorical eligibility in the SNAP (9/23/19)
  • Comments on the USDA's proposed rule that would revise the requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs) in the SNAP (4/2/19)
  • Comments on the Department of Homeland Security U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services "Inadmissibility on Public Charge Grounds" proposed rule (12/10/18)