Texas Nutrition Advisory Committee Begins Work On Annual Report

Texas Launches Nutrition Advisory Committee To Tackle Ultra-Processed Foods | Image by Texas Department of State Health Services

(Texas Scorecard) – Texas officials are moving forward with a new state initiative aimed at reshaping nutrition guidance and addressing the health effects of ultra-processed foods.

The Texas Nutrition Advisory Committee is a pillar of the “Make Texas Healthy Again” initiative passed by state lawmakers last spring, with board members appointed by Gov. Greg Abbott late last year.

Members appointed to the committee are: Dr. Padmaja Patel, Dr. Ann M. Shippy, Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller, Dr. Natalie Bachynsky, Cheryl Sew Hoy, Dr. Jaclyn Lewis Albin, and Dr. Kathleen Davis.

These members are required to research and write an annual report for state officials with updated guidelines, recommendations, and summaries of studies on nutrition and ultra-processed foods.

Some of the specific tasks outlined for the committee include examining the impact of nutrition on human health, providing education on the effects of ultra-processed foods, and developing and maintaining state dietary guidelines. 

The committee held their initial meeting in January to establish committee leadership, divide into two internal workgroups, and create a basic timeline for the completion of the report that is due September 1.

During their meeting on Wednesday, Austin Hood, deputy director of government affairs for the Department of State Health Services, highlighted the importance of their work as the basis for nutrition education and the creation of health guidelines for Texans.

“These guidelines that y’all will be creating will be used for multiple other agencies [that] will be taking these guidelines and incorporating them into their own rules and processes,” said Hood. “This includes the Texas Medical Board, Texas Board of Nursing, and Texas Commission on Licensing and Regulation.” 

These agencies will also be incorporating the guidelines into the medical education requirements for individuals they license and oversee.

“The Higher Education Coordinating Board will require institutions of higher education to have nutrition credits for health students as well, and any of the health related institutions for higher education will have those classes as well,” continued Hood. 

Members of the committee discussed the framework and strategy for the report and how to best communicate the compiled information, along with how to collaborate with state subject matter experts.

The committee concluded by confirming assignments for the two internal workgroups that will continue to develop their respected report sections before the next meeting.

External subject matter experts, which will be coordinated through the working groups and state staff, will be used as needed to review evidence and develop content for the report.

The committee’s next meeting will be held April 16.