US dietary guidelines delayed until early 2026

The new Dietary Guidelines for Americans have been pushed to early 2026, delaying the release of the government's official recommendations for a healthy diet.

A spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) told Reuters on Thursday that “the Dietary Guidelines will be released soon after the first of the year.”

In November, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said the Trump administration planned to issue the revised guidelines in December, with changes aimed at improving the country’s food culture and reducing high obesity rates.

The updated guidelines — which influence school lunch programs, medical advice, and national nutrition standards — were originally expected as early as summer. HHS and the U.S. Department of Agriculture jointly publish the guidelines every five years.

According to a federal official, the recent government shutdown caused the delay. The New York Times first reported the postponement on Thursday.

Sources familiar with the review process told Reuters in June that the upcoming guidelines are expected to include new recommendations on saturated fat, which is found mostly in meat and certain oils, as well as guidance on ultra-processed foods. They are also likely to include updated suggestions regarding dairy intake.

Current dietary guidelines advise Americans to limit saturated fat to less than 10% of their daily calories and do not provide specific recommendations on ultra-processed foods.

-Sriparna Roy/Reuters