Title 7 — AgricultureRelease 119-73

§3172 Duties of Secretary of Agriculture

Title 7 › Chapter CHAPTER 64— - AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH, EXTENSION, AND TEACHING › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER IV— - NATIONAL FOOD AND HUMAN NUTRITION RESEARCH AND EXTENSION PROGRAM › § 3172

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

The Secretary must establish a national food and human nutrition research and extension program. It must cover five areas: human nutritional needs; nutrient content of foods and how farming, handling, processing, and cooking change nutrients; tracking nutrition benefits in Department of Agriculture food programs; why people choose certain foods; and tools to help homes and institutions pick balanced diets.

Full Legal Text

Title 7, §3172

Agriculture — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

In order to carry out the policy of this subchapter, the Secretary shall develop and implement a national food and human nutrition research and extension program that shall include, but not be limited to—

(1)research on human nutritional requirements;

(2)research on the nutrient composition of foods and the effects of agricultural practices, handling, food processing, and cooking on the nutrients they contain;

(3)surveillance of the nutritional benefits provided to participants in the food programs administered by the Department of Agriculture;

(4)research on the factors affecting food preference and habits; and

(5)the development of techniques and equipment to assist consumers in the home or in institutions in selecting food that supplies a nutritionally adequate diet.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Section effective Oct. 1, 1977, see section 1901 of Pub. L. 95–113, set out as an

Effective Date

of 1977 Amendment note under section 1307 of this title.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

7 U.S.C. § 3172

Title 7 — Agriculture

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73