April 19, 2005
Contact: Julia Stewart (302) 738-7100, Sue Hensley (703) 582-8679

(Washington, DC) The National Restaurant Association welcomed the modernized food guidance system and an updated "personalized" food pyramid announced today by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns and Denise Austin of the President's Physical Fitness and Sports Council. The Association also commended efforts by the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to further educate Americans about nutrition, moderation and a balanced diet.

"The National Restaurant Association and our nation's 900,000 restaurant-and-foodservice establishments have long been committed to promoting healthy lifestyles, which can best be achieved by combining physical activity with educated and balanced food choices," said Association President and Chief Executive Officer Steven C. Anderson. "We applaud Secretary Johanns and the USDA for encouraging more healthful living among Americans by modernizing the food guidance system."

The Association has been working closely with both the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and USDA, submitting comments and ideas for consideration as part of the new Dietary Guidelines for Americans (released in January) and the new Food Guidance System. The personalized food guide pyramid echoes the Association's message of balance, moderation and physical activity, while emphasizing that a "one-size-fits-all policy" is an outdated and ineffective concept that fails to address individual dietary needs.

"As Americans begin to educate and familiarize themselves with the tools provided by the new food guidance system and personalize their own food pyramid, the nation's restaurants will play an active role in continuing to offer consumers a wide variety of menu options – all of which can be personalized to accommodate a variety of dietary preferences and needs," said Anderson.

The USDA's new food guidance system can be viewed on the Web at www.mypyramid.gov – and can help individuals choose foods in sizes and amounts that are most appropriate for them. Visit the National Restaurant Association on the Web at www.restaurant.org to learn ways in which restaurants are responding to consumer demand for more choice in menu offerings and nutrition information.

The new Food Guide Pyramid will also be promoted by the National Restaurant Association as part of its AskUs! nutrition information program, which will be launched next month.