FDA and NIH Launch Joint Nutrition Regulatory Science Program to Combat Diet-Related Chronic Diseases

On May 9, 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced the launch of the Nutrition Regulatory Science Program, a collaborative initiative aimed at addressing the growing crisis of diet-related chronic diseases in the United States. This program seeks to accelerate nutrition research to inform effective food and nutrition policies, focusing on critical questions such as the health impacts of ultra-processed foods, the effects of certain food additives on metabolic health, and the influence of maternal and infant dietary exposures on long-term health outcomes. Drawing inspiration from the successful FDA-NIH Tobacco Regulatory Science Program, this new initiative will combine the FDA's regulatory expertise with the NIH's research infrastructure to advance nutrition science and promote transparency in food health impacts. The program aligns with the Department of Health and Human Services' "Make America Healthy Again" initiative, emphasizing the need for evidence-based policies to improve the nation's dietary health.