Food Guide Advisory Committee Terms of Reference

Purpose:
The Food Guide Advisory Committee will provide advice and guidance on the revision of Canada's Food Guide to Healthy Eating and supporting materials.

Mandate:
The Food Guide Advisory Committee will provide advice and guidance to the Office of Nutrition Policy and Promotion on:

1. The proposed revision process for the Food Guide and supporting materials;
2. Research needed to facilitate making appropriate revisions to the Food Guide;
3. Sources of information and expertise that would assist in the revision of the Food Guide and supporting materials;
4. Proposed consultation initiatives;
5. Interpretation of findings from research and consultation initiatives;
6. Proposed revisions to the design and content of the Food Guide and supporting materials;
7. Promotion and dissemination of the revised Food Guide and supporting materials;
8. Appropriate evaluation strategy for the revised Food Guide and supporting materials.

Decision Making:
The ultimate decision-making authority and accountability rests with the Minister of Health and the role of the Advisory Committee will be to provide advice to the Department.

Reporting Structure:
Provides advice to the Director General, Office of Nutrition Policy & Promotion, Health Canada.

Membership:
A small group of knowledgeable individuals will provide advice and guidance from many perspectives including: public health, industry, education, health policy, nutrition, disease prevention and communication. They will cover national, provincial and local perspectives. Members will be appointed as individuals on the basis of their expertise, and will not represent their firms, organizations or associations directly.

Tenure:
Members are appointed by Health Canada for the duration of the revision (expected to be approximately 24 months).

Meetings:
In addition to written and telephone interaction among members of the Advisory Committee, up to 6 meetings may be convened in Ottawa.

Secretariat:
Office of Nutrition Policy and Promotion