In its response, EFAD welcomes the report as an important contribution to advancing dietary guideline development across Europe, particularly through its emphasis on food systems approaches and sustainability considerations.

EFAD strongly supports the report’s recognition that:

• Data availability and funding remain major barriers to dietary guideline development and implementation,
• Diet modelling and recurring data assessments are essential for improving dietary guideline quality,
• Cross-sectoral and interdisciplinary approaches are critical for effective implementation.

The response also highlights the central role of dietitians in both the development and implementation of dietary guidelines, emphasising their expertise in translating complex nutrition science into practical, culturally relevant guidance for populations.

Among EFAD’s key recommendations are:

• Stronger multidisciplinary collaboration, including behavioural sciences,
• Improved monitoring, implementation, and evaluation of dietary guidelines,
• Greater focus on accessibility, food literacy, and practical implementation,
• Integration of sustainability dimensions while ensuring nutritional adequacy and cultural relevance.

EFAD also stresses the importance of embedding dietary guidelines within broader national strategies and food systems approaches to maximise public health impact.

The response was developed through the EFAD Codex Alimentarius Committee, with contributions from Fiona Page, Susanne Koch, Antonis Vlassopoulos, Elena Patra and Manuel Moñino.