The Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) are a federal policy document providing nutrition-based recommendations for Americans two years of age and older. Mandated by the 1990 National Nutrition Monitoring and Related Research Act, the DGA is updated every five years by the Secretaries of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Agriculture (USDA). The DGA serves as the basis for federal nutrition policies, including the National School Lunch Program and WIC. It influences food labeling, health promotion initiatives, and industry practices. A Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC) provides scientific advice to the Secretaries. The 2015 DGAC report, which included 571 pages, was used to draft the 2015-2020 DGA. The report received over 29,000 written comments and 73 oral comments. Concerns were raised about the scope of the DGAC's recommendations, the development process, and specific recommendations. In response, Congress included several policy riders in the FY2016 omnibus appropriations law, requiring the National Academies of Medicine to review the DGA and its development process. The 2015-2020 DGA includes five overarching guidelines and key recommendations, such as following a healthy eating pattern, limiting added sugars and saturated fats, and encouraging physical activity. The DGA does not include the 2015 DGAC's recommendation to reduce red and processed meat consumption, but it acknowledges the benefits of lower meat intake in reducing cardiovascular disease risk. The 2015-2020 DGA also includes recommendations on coffee consumption, dietary cholesterol, and physical activity. The DGA retains many recommendations from the 2010 DGA but omits sustainability and tax policy recommendations. Congress has played a role in shaping the DGA development process, including limiting the scope of the DGA and requiring a study of the DGAC's process. The 2020-2025 DGA will expand to include guidance for infants and toddlers and pregnant women. The DGA remains a key component of federal nutrition policy, influencing public health, nutrition, agriculture, and the food industry.The Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) are a federal policy document providing nutrition-based recommendations for Americans two years of age and older. Mandated by the 1990 National Nutrition Monitoring and Related Research Act, the DGA is updated every five years by the Secretaries of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Agriculture (USDA). The DGA serves as the basis for federal nutrition policies, including the National School Lunch Program and WIC. It influences food labeling, health promotion initiatives, and industry practices. A Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC) provides scientific advice to the Secretaries. The 2015 DGAC report, which included 571 pages, was used to draft the 2015-2020 DGA. The report received over 29,000 written comments and 73 oral comments. Concerns were raised about the scope of the DGAC's recommendations, the development process, and specific recommendations. In response, Congress included several policy riders in the FY2016 omnibus appropriations law, requiring the National Academies of Medicine to review the DGA and its development process. The 2015-2020 DGA includes five overarching guidelines and key recommendations, such as following a healthy eating pattern, limiting added sugars and saturated fats, and encouraging physical activity. The DGA does not include the 2015 DGAC's recommendation to reduce red and processed meat consumption, but it acknowledges the benefits of lower meat intake in reducing cardiovascular disease risk. The 2015-2020 DGA also includes recommendations on coffee consumption, dietary cholesterol, and physical activity. The DGA retains many recommendations from the 2010 DGA but omits sustainability and tax policy recommendations. Congress has played a role in shaping the DGA development process, including limiting the scope of the DGA and requiring a study of the DGAC's process. The 2020-2025 DGA will expand to include guidance for infants and toddlers and pregnant women. The DGA remains a key component of federal nutrition policy, influencing public health, nutrition, agriculture, and the food industry.