The Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) are the federal government’s official nutrition guidance, jointly issued every five years by the U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Agriculture (USDA). The Guidelines shape nutrition education, federal nutrition programs, and public health messaging nationwide—impacting everything from school meals and WIC to SNAP incentives and dietary advice for families.
For decades, dairy has been recognized in the DGA as a distinct food group and a cornerstone of healthy eating patterns, reflecting its unique nutrient profile and essential role in public health.
Our Position
The 2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, released in January 2026, represent an important step forward in aligning federal nutrition guidance with modern science.
Key takeaways for dairy include:
- Dairy remains a core food group in healthy dietary patterns across life stages
- Three servings of dairy per day continue to be recommended for most Americans
- For the first time in more than four decades, the DGA recognize that dairy foods at all fat levels—fat-free, low-fat, reduced-fat, and whole—can fit within healthy eating patterns
- The updated DGA graphics and messaging elevate dairy as a primary source of high-quality protein
This update reflects more than a decade of peer-reviewed research showing that consumption of whole and full-fat dairy products is associated with neutral or positive health outcomes, including:
By acknowledging the full range of dairy products, the DGA provide Americans greater flexibility to choose the dairy foods that best meet their nutritional, cultural, and taste preferences.
IDFA is encouraging the administration to swiftly update federal nutrition program—including the WIC food package, SNAP dairy incentives, and school meals standards—to align with the whole and full-fat dairy recommendation in the new DGA and ensure Americans can access the full range of nutrient-rich dairy foods, including whole and reduced-fat varieties.
Looking Ahead
IDFA will continue working closely with USDA and HHS to:
- Support implementation of the new dairy guidance across federal nutrition programs
- Provide science-based resources to policymakers, health professionals, and the public
- Advocate for a transparent, evidence-driven process for future Dietary Guidelines
The 2025–2030 DGA mark a meaningful step forward for dairy and for Americans’ health—and IDFA remains committed to ensuring the science continues to guide nutrition policy.
For more information, please visit eatrealfood.gov.
Resources
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