The new Dietary Guidelines for Americans will not arrive until early 2026, a representative for the Department of Health and Human Services told The New York Times on Thursday, marking a delay of the release of the government’s official advice on what to eat and drink for good health.
For months, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the nation’s health secretary, has promised to overhaul the guidelines. Federal law requires that they are updated every five years; the current edition was supposed to be replaced by the end of 2025.
In April, Mr. Kennedy said he would release the new guidelines in late summer or early fall, ahead of schedule. But the release was pushed back — first to later in the fall, and then to the end of the year. The representative cited the recent government shutdown as a reason for the latest delay.
In the last few decades, the guidelines have not changed much from edition to edition. They typically emphasize eating fruits, vegetables and whole grains, along with lean meats and low-fat dairy products. Mr. Kennedy, who has railed against ultraprocessed foods and artificial food dyes, has said that the new guidelines would prioritize whole foods and offer clear advice to help Americans follow healthier diets. But he has also suggested that the guidelines would encourage people to consume more meat, full-fat dairy and saturated fats, leaving many experts concerned. Following this advice, they say, could raise cholesterol and the risk for heart disease.
The guidelines affect the meals served in day cares, schools and military cafeterias, as well as the foods offered in programs for low-income Americans and older adults. They also influence the diet advice that doctors give to patients and the nutrition lessons taught in schools.
Alice Callahan is a Times reporter covering nutrition and health. She has a Ph.D. in nutrition from the University of California, Davis.
The post New Dietary Guidelines Delayed Until Early 2026 appeared first on New York Times.
