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)
- Comments on Simplifying Meal Service and Monitoring Requirements in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs [Full text available in the NPI Archives] (4/22/20)
- Comments on proposed CACFP recommendations [Full text available in the NPI Archives] (4/9/15)
- Comments on drinking water [Full text available in the NPI Archives] (4/9/15)
- Comments on 100% fruit juice [Full text available in the NPI Archives] (4/9/15)
- Comments on flavored milk [Full text available in the NPI Archives] (4/9/15)
- Comments on whole grains [Full text available in the NPI Archives] (4/9/15)
Dietary Guidelines for Americans
2025-2030
- National Drinking Water Alliance with collaborating organizations submitted comments that the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025-2030 recommend plain drinking water as the primary beverage for people to consume and that the USDA take the necessary steps to add a symbol for water to the MyPlate graphic. (2/7/25)
- Comments on the Scientific Report of the 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee on adoption of evidence-based recommendations into the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025-2030. (2/6/25)
- 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)
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 [Full text available in the NPI Archives] (8/12/20)
- Comments to the DGAC on the recommended nutrition guidelines for pregnant and lactating women and children from birth to 24 months [Full text available in the NPI Archives] (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 [Full text available in the NPI Archives] (1/15/20)
- Comments on the Nutrition Evidence Library how the Guidelines can better ensure nutritional sufficiency for all Americans [Full text available in the NPI Archives] (1/3/17)
- National Drinking Water Alliance submitted comments on including recommendations for healthy beverage habits in the Guidelines [Full text available in the NPI Archives] (12/23/16)
2015-2020
Drinking Water Regulations
Infant Formula Labeling
- Comments on infant formula labeling [Full text available in the NPI Archives] (10/25/16)
- Comments to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on misbranded “transition formula” products [Full text available in the NPI Archives] (7/28/20)
- Comments to the US FDA on public health harms of "transition formulas" and "toddler milks" [Full text available in the NPI Archives] (12/9/20)
Nutrition Facts Label
Opportunities, Challenges, and Emerging Areas in Statistical Data, Analysis, and Research at the US Department of Agriculture
School Meal Programs
- Testimony on "California Universal School Meals Oversight & Proposals" (PDF, 316 KB) (3/20/24)
- Comments on "Child Nutrition Programs: Revisions to Meal Patterns Consistent With the 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans" (PDF, 260 KB) (5/8/23)
- Comments on "Restoration of Milk, Whole Grains, and Sodium Flexibilities" [Full text available in the NPI Archives] (12/27/20)
- Comments on "Simplifying Meal Service and Monitoring Requirements in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs" [Full text available in the NPI Archives] (4/22/20)
- Comments on "Child Nutrition Programs: Flexibilities for Milk, Whole Grains, and Sodium Requirements" [Full text available in the NPI Archives] (1/29/18)
Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC)
Strategies to Reduce Added Sugars Consumption in the United States
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Comments on the USDA proposed National SNAP Information Database (PDF, 210 KB) (7/23/25)
- Comments on the USDA proposed rule that would revise SNAP regulations to standardize the methodology for calculating standard utility allowances [Full text available in the NPI Archives] (12/2/19)
- Comments on the USDA's proposed rule that would revise the definition of categorical eligibility in the SNAP [Full text available in the NPI Archives], 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 [Full text available in the NPI Archives] (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 [Full text available in the NPI Archives] (4/2/19)
- Comments on the Department of Homeland Security U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services "Inadmissibility on Public Charge Grounds" proposed rule [Full text available in the NPI Archives] (12/10/18)