nutritional properties , nutritional benefits, national nutritional policy, recommendations, obesity, National Nutrition and Health Programme, food guidelines, nutritional standards

The Agency

· examines the nutritional properties of substances and foodstuffs destined for human consumption as well as the sanitary risks and benefits relating to them

· examines food label claims

· develops nutritional standards for the population and population sub-groups

· provides the scientific tools necessary for developing and putting into practice national nutritional policy:

- draws up general observations, opinions and recommendations on the main themes of public health (salt, carbohydrates and health, morning snacks at school, prevention of child obesity, etc.)

- designs the scientific background for food guidelines intended for different groups (as part of the National Nutrition and Health Programme): general population, children, teenagers, elderly people, health professionals, etc.

The unit for the evaluation of nutrition and nutritional risks is dedicated to this subject.