SUBCHAPTER IV—NATIONAL FOOD AND HUMAN NUTRITION RESEARCH AND EXTENSION PROGRAM
§3171. Congressional findings and declaration of policy
(a) Findings
Congress finds that there is increasing evidence of a relationship between diet and many of the leading causes of death in the United States: that improved nutrition is an integral component of preventive health care; that there is a serious need for research on the chronic effects of diet on degenerative diseases and related disorders; that nutrition and health considerations are important to United States agricultural policy; that there is insufficient knowledge concerning precise human nutritional requirements, the interaction of the various nutritional constituents of food, and differences in nutritional requirements among different population groups such as infants, children, adolescents, elderly men and women, and pregnant women; and that there is a critical need for objective data concerning food safety, the potential of food enrichment, and means to encourage better nutritional practices.
(b) Declaration of policy
It is declared to be the policy of the United States that the Department of Agriculture conduct research in the fields of human nutrition and the nutritive value of foods and conduct human nutrition education activities, as provided in this subchapter.
(
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
Section effective Oct. 1, 1977, see section 1901 of
Nutrition Information and Awareness Pilot Program
§3172. Duties of Secretary of Agriculture
In order to carry out the policy of this subchapter, the Secretary shall develop and implement a national food and human nutrition research and extension program that shall include, but not be limited to—
(1) research on human nutritional requirements;
(2) research on the nutrient composition of foods and the effects of agricultural practices, handling, food processing, and cooking on the nutrients they contain;
(3) surveillance of the nutritional benefits provided to participants in the food programs administered by the Department of Agriculture;
(4) research on the factors affecting food preference and habits; and
(5) the development of techniques and equipment to assist consumers in the home or in institutions in selecting food that supplies a nutritionally adequate diet.
(
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
Section effective Oct. 1, 1977, see section 1901 of
§3173. Research by Department of Agriculture
(a) Increase in level of support
The Secretary shall establish research into food and human nutrition as a separate and distinct mission of the Department of Agriculture, and the Secretary shall increase support for such research to a level that provides resources adequate to meet the policy of this subchapter.
(b) Periodic consultation with administrators of other Federal departments and agencies
The Secretary, in administering the food and human nutrition research program, shall periodically consult with the administrators of the other Federal departments and agencies that have responsibility for programs dealing with human food and nutrition, as to the specific research needs of those departments and agencies.
(
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
Section effective Oct. 1, 1977, see section 1901 of
National Food and Human Nutrition Research Program; Congressional Findings; Comprehensive Plan; Annual Report; Joint Dietary Assessment, Studies and Reports; Submission of Plan and Reports to Congressional Committees
"findings
"
"(1) nutrition and health considerations are important to United States agricultural policy;
"(2) section 1405 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (
"(3) section 1423 of such Act (
"(4) the Secretary has established a nutrition education program; and
"(5) nutrition research continues to be of great importance to those involved in agricultural production.
"[
"dietary assessment and studies
"
"(1) the relationship between dietary cholesterol and blood cholesterol and human health and nutrition; and
"(2) dietary calcium and its importance in human health and nutrition.
In conducting the assessments under this subsection, the Secretaries shall consult with agencies of the Federal Government involved in related research. On completion of such assessments, the Secretaries shall each recommend such further studies as the Secretaries consider useful.
"(b) Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act [Dec. 23, 1985], the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall each submit to the House Committees on Agriculture and Energy and Commerce and the Senate Committees on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry and Labor and Human Resources a report that shall include the results of the assessments conducted under subsection (a) and recommendations made under such subsection, for more complete studies of the issues examined under such subsection, including a protocol, feasibility assessment, budget estimates and a timetable for such research as each Secretary shall consider appropriate."
§§3174, 3174a. Repealed. Pub. L. 113–79, title VII, §§7108, 7109, Feb. 7, 2014, 128 Stat. 870
Section 3174,
Section 3174a,
Editorial Notes
Prior Provisions
A prior section 3174,
Another prior section 3174,
§3175. Nutrition education program
(a) Definition of 1862 Institution and 1890 Institution
In this section, the terms "1862 Institution" and "1890 Institution" have the meaning given those terms in
(b) Establishment
The Secretary shall establish a national education program which shall include, but not be limited to, the dissemination of the results of food and human nutrition research performed or funded by the Department of Agriculture.
(c) Employment and training
To enable low-income individuals and families to engage in nutritionally sound food purchasing and preparation practices, the expanded food and nutrition education program presently conducted under
(d) Allocation of funding
Beginning with the fiscal year ending September 30, 1982—
(1) Any funds annually appropriated under
(2) Any funds appropriated annually under
(A) 4 per centum shall be available to the Secretary for administrative, technical, and other services necessary for the administration of the program.
(B) Notwithstanding
(i) $100,000 shall be distributed to each 1862 Institution and 1890 Institution.
(ii) Subject to clause (iii), the remainder shall be allocated to each State in an amount that bears the same ratio to the total amount to be allocated under this clause as—
(I) the population living at or below 125 percent of the income poverty guidelines (as prescribed by the Office of Management and Budget and as adjusted pursuant to
(II) the total population living at or below 125 percent of those income poverty guidelines in all States;
as determined by the most recent decennial census at the time at which each such additional amount is first appropriated.
(iii)(I) Before any allocation of funds under clause (ii), for any fiscal year for which the amount of funds appropriated for the conduct of the expanded food and nutrition education program exceeds the amount of funds appropriated for the program for fiscal year 2007, the following percentage of such excess funds for the fiscal year shall be allocated to the 1890 Institutions in accordance with subclause (II):
(aa) 10 percent for fiscal year 2009.
(bb) 11 percent for fiscal year 2010.
(cc) 12 percent for fiscal year 2011.
(dd) 13 percent for fiscal year 2012.
(ee) 14 percent for fiscal year 2013.
(ff) 15 percent for fiscal year 2014 and for each fiscal year thereafter.
(II) Funds made available under subclause (I) shall be allocated to each 1890 Institution in an amount that bears the same ratio to the total amount to be allocated under this clause as—
(aa) the population living at or below 125 percent of the income poverty guidelines (as prescribed by the Office of Management and Budget and as adjusted pursuant to
(bb) the total population living at or below 125 percent of those income poverty guidelines in all States in which 1890 Institutions are located;
as determined by the most recent decennial census at the time at which each such additional amount is first appropriated.
(iv) Nothing in this subparagraph precludes the Secretary from developing educational materials and programs for persons in income ranges above the level designated in this subparagraph.
(e) Complementary administration
The Secretary shall ensure the complementary administration of the expanded food and nutrition education program by 1862 Institutions and 1890 Institutions in a State.
(f) Coordination
Projects carried out with funds made available under
(g) Authorization of appropriations
There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out the expanded food and nutrition education program established under
(
Editorial Notes
Codification
Amendments
2018—Subsec. (f).
Subsec. (g).
2014—Subsec. (f).
2008—
Subsecs. (a) to (d).
Subsec. (d)(2)(B).
Subsec. (d)(3).
Subsecs. (e), (f).
2002—Subsec. (c)(3).
1998—Subsec. (c)(3).
1996—Subsec. (c)(3).
1990—Subsec. (c)(3).
1981—Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (c).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 2008 Amendment
Amendment of this section and repeal of
[
Effective Date of 1990 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1981 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date
Section effective Oct. 1, 1977, see section 1901 of
§3175a. Nutrition and consumer education; Congressional findings
Congress finds that individuals in households eligible to participate in programs under the Food Stamp Act of 1977 [
(
Editorial Notes
References in Text
The Food Stamp Act of 1977, referred to in text, subsequently renamed the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, is
Codification
Section was enacted as part of the Food Security Act of 1985, and not as part of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 which comprises this chapter.
§3175b. Expansion of effective food, nutrition, and consumer education services
The purpose of the program provided for under
(1) increase their ability to manage their food budgets, including food stamps and other food assistance;
(2) increase their ability to buy food that satisfies nutritional needs and promotes good health; and
(3) improve their food preparation, storage, safety, preservation, and sanitation practices.
(
Editorial Notes
References in Text
The Food Stamp Act of 1977, referred to in text, subsequently renamed the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, is
Codification
Section was enacted as part of the Food Security Act of 1985, and not as part of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 which comprises this chapter.
§3175c. Program of food, nutrition, and consumer education by State cooperative extension services
The cooperative extension services of the States shall, with funds made available under this subtitle, carry out an expanded program of food, nutrition, and consumer education for low-income individuals in a manner designed to achieve the purpose set forth in
(1) provide effective and meaningful food, nutrition, and consumer education services to as many low-income individuals as possible;
(2) employ educational methodologies, including innovative approaches, that accomplish the purpose set forth in
(3) to the extent practicable, coordinate activities carried out under the program with the delivery to low-income individuals of benefits under food assistance programs.
(
Editorial Notes
References in Text
This subtitle, referred to in text, is subtitle C (§§1581–1589) of title XV of
Codification
Section was enacted as part of the Food Security Act of 1985, and not as part of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 which comprises this chapter.
§3175d. Administration of program of food, nutrition, and consumer education by State cooperative extension services
(a) Administration by Secretary of Agriculture
The program provided for under
(b) Evaluation and report
The Secretary of Agriculture, not later than April 1, 1989, shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report evaluating the effectiveness of the program provided for under
(
Editorial Notes
References in Text
This subtitle, referred to in subsec. (a), is subtitle C (§§1581–1589) of title XV of
Codification
Section was enacted as part of the Food Security Act of 1985, and not as part of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 which comprises this chapter.
Amendments
2008—Subsec. (a).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 2008 Amendment
Amendment of this section and repeal of
Amendment by section 7511(c)(11) of
§3175e. Authorization of appropriations
(a) There are hereby authorized to be appropriated to carry out
(b) Any funds appropriated under this section for a fiscal year shall be allocated in the manner specified in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of
(c) Any funds appropriated to carry out
(
Editorial Notes
Codification
Section was enacted as part of the Food Security Act of 1985, and not as part of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 which comprises this chapter.
Amendments
2008—Subsec. (b).
1990—Subsec. (a).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 2008 Amendment
Amendment of this section and repeal of
Amendment by section 7116(b) of
Effective Date of 1990 Amendment
Amendment by
§3176. Repealed. Pub. L. 97–98, title XIV, §1424(a), Dec. 22, 1981, 95 Stat. 1308
Section,
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of Repeal
Repeal by
§3177. Repealed. Pub. L. 99–198, title XIV, §1413, Dec. 23, 1985, 99 Stat. 1549
Section,
§3178. Nutritional status monitoring
(a) Formulation of system
The Secretary and the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall formulate and submit to Congress, within ninety days after September 29, 1977, a proposal for a comprehensive nutritional status monitoring system, to include:
(1) an assessment system consisting of periodic surveys and continuous monitoring to determine: the extent of risk of nutrition-related health problems in the United States; which population groups or areas of the country face greatest risk; and the likely causes of risk and changes in the above risk factors over time;
(2) a surveillance system to identify remediable nutrition-related health risks to individuals or for local areas, in such a manner as to tie detection to direct intervention and treatment. Such system should draw on screening and other information from other health programs, including those funded under titles V, XVIII, and XIX of the Social Security Act [
(3) program evaluations to determine the adequacy, efficiency, effectiveness, and side effects of nutrition-related programs in reducing health risks to individuals and populations.
(b) Coordination of existing activities; recommendation for necessary additional authorities
The proposal shall provide for coordination of activities under existing authorities and contain recommendations for any additional authorities necessary to achieve a comprehensive monitoring system.
(
Editorial Notes
References in Text
The Social Security Act, referred to in subsec. (a)(2), is act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531,
Section 330 of the Public Health Service Act, referred to in subsec. (a)(2), is section 330 of act July 1, 1944, which was classified to
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Change of Name
"Secretary of Health and Human Services" substituted for "Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare" in subsec. (a) pursuant to section 509(b) of
Effective Date
Section effective Oct. 1, 1977, see section 1901 of
1 See References in Text note below.
§3178a. Nutrition monitoring
The Secretary of Agriculture shall—
(1) in conducting the Department of Agriculture's continuing survey of food intakes of individuals and any nationwide food consumption survey, include a sample that is representative of low-income individuals and, to the extent practicable, the collection of information on food purchases and other household expenditures by such individuals;
(2) to the extent practicable, continue to maintain the nutrient data base established by the Department of Agriculture; and
(3) encourage research by public and private entities relating to effective standards, methodologies, and technologies for accurate assessment of the nutritional and dietary status of individuals.
(
Editorial Notes
Codification
Section was enacted as part of the Food Security Act of 1985, and not as part of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 which comprises this chapter.
§3179. Research on strategies to promote the selection and consumption of healthy foods
(a) In general
The Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, shall establish a research, demonstration, and technical assistance program to promote healthy eating and reduce the prevalence of obesity, among all population groups but especially among children, by applying the principles and insights of behavioral economics research in schools, child care programs, and other settings.
(b) Priorities
The Secretary shall—
(1) identify and assess the impacts of specific presentation, placement, and other strategies for structuring choices on selection and consumption of healthful foods in a variety of settings, consistent with the most recent version of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans published under
(2) demonstrate and rigorously evaluate behavioral economics-related interventions that hold promise to improve diets and promote health, including through demonstration projects that may include evaluation of the use of portion size, labeling, convenience, and other strategies to encourage healthy choices; and
(3) encourage adoption of the most effective strategies through outreach and technical assistance.
(c) Authority
In carrying out the program under subsection (a), the Secretary may—
(1) enter into competitively awarded contracts or cooperative agreements; or
(2) provide grants to States or public or private agencies or organizations, as determined by the Secretary.
(d) Application
To be eligible to enter into a contract or cooperative agreement or receive a grant under this section, a State or public or private agency or organization shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require.
(e) Coordination
The solicitation and evaluation of contracts, cooperative agreements, and grant proposals considered under this section shall be coordinated with the Food and Nutrition Service as appropriate to ensure that funded projects are consistent with the operations of Federally supported nutrition assistance programs and related laws (including regulations).
(f) Annual reports
Not later than 90 days after the end of each fiscal year, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report that includes a description of—
(1) the policies, priorities, and operations of the program carried out by the Secretary under this section during the fiscal year;
(2) the results of any evaluations completed during the fiscal year; and
(3) the efforts undertaken to disseminate successful practices through outreach and technical assistance.
(g) Authorization of appropriations
(1) In general
There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section such sums as are necessary for each of fiscal years 2011 through 2015.
(2) Use of funds
The Secretary may use up to 5 percent of the funds made available under paragraph (1) for Federal administrative expenses incurred in carrying out this section.
(
Editorial Notes
Codification
Section was enacted as part of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, and not as part of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 which comprises this chapter.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
Section effective Oct. 1, 2010, except as otherwise specifically provided, see section 445 of