In September 2015, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine's Food and Nutrition Board convened a workshop in Washington, DC, to discuss how communications and marketing impact consumer knowledge, skills, and behavior around food, nutrition, and healthy eating. The workshop was divided into three sessions, each with specific goals that were developed by the planning committee: Session 1 described the current state of the science concerning the role of consumer education, health communications and marketing, commercial brand marketing, health literacy, and other forms of communication in affecting consumer knowledge, skills, and behavior with respect to food safety, nutrition, and other health matters. Session 2 explored how scientific information is communicated, including the credibility of the source and of the communicator, the clarity and usability of the information, misconceptions/misinformation, and the impact of scientific communication on policy makers and the role of policy as a macro-level channel of communication. Session 3 explored the current state of the science concerning how food literacy can be strengthened through communication tools and strategies. This report summarizes the presentations and discussions from the workshop. Table of Contents Front Matter Introduction 1 Session 1: Food Literacy and the Role of Communications Relating to Food Safety, Nutrition, and Other Health Matters 2 Session 2: Food Literacy and Communications Conveying Scientific Information Concerning Food Safety, Nutrition, or Other Health Matters - Opportunities and Challenges 3 Promoting Food Literacy: Communication Tools and Strategies 4 Food Literacy: Next Steps References Appendix A: Workshop Agenda Appendix B: Abbreviations and Acronyms Appendix C: Speaker Biographical Sketches

On December 5, 2017, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine hosted a public workshop titled Nutrigenomics and the Future of Nutrition in Washington, DC, to review current knowledge in the field of nutrigenomics as it relates to nutrition. Workshop participants explored the influence of genetic and epigenetic expression on nutritional status and the potential impact of personalized nutrition on health maintenance and chronic disease prevention. This publication summarizes the presentations and discussions from the workshop. Table of Contents Front Matter 1 Introduction 2 Nutrigenomics and Chronic Disease Endpoints 3 Personalized Nutrition in the Real World 4 Nutrigenomics Applications: Dietary Guidance and Food Product Development 5 Nutrigenomics: Regulatory, Ethical, and Science Policy Considerations 6 Rethinking the Relationship Between Diet and Health: Can Nutrigenomics Help? References Appendix A: Workshop Agenda Appendix B: Acronyms and Abbreviations Appendix C: Speaker and Facilitator Biographies

On March 13, 2017, the Roundtable on Environmental Health Sciences, Research, and Medicine and the Roundtable on Population Health Improvement jointly convened a 1-day public workshop in Washington, DC, to explore potential strategies for public health, environmental health, health care, and related stakeholders to help communities and regions to address and mitigate the health effects of climate change. Participants discussed the perspectives of civic, government, business, and health-sector leaders, and existing research, best practices, and examples that inform stakeholders and practitioners on approaches to support mitigation of and adaptation to climate change and its effects on population health. This publication summarizes the presentations and discussions from the workshop. Table of Contents Front Matter 1 Introduction 2 Setting the Stage 3 Regional Perspectives from the South 4 Regional Perspectives from the Midwest 5 Regional Perspectives from the Northeast 6 Regional Perspectives from the West 7 Reflections on the Day Appendix A: References Appendix B: Workshop Agenda Appendix C: Biosketches of Presenters and Moderators

In September 2016, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine convened a workshop to examine trends and patterns in aging and factors related to healthy aging in the United States, with a focus on nutrition, and how nutrition can sustain and promote healthy aging, not just in late adulthood, but beginning in pregnancy and early childhood and extending throughout the lifespan. Participants discussed the role of nutrition in the aging process at various stages in life, changes in organ systems over the lifespan and changes that occur with age related to cognitive, brain, and mental health, and explored opportunities to move forward in promoting healthy aging in the United States. This publication summarizes the presentations and discussions from the workshop. Table of Contents Front Matter 1 Introduction 2 Changing Landscape: Demographics, Health Status, and Nutritional Needs 3 The Spectrum of Aging and Health Over the Lifespan 4 Changes in Organ Systems Over the Lifespan 5 Moving Forward 6 Healthy Aging: What Is It? Are There Acceptable Markers to Utilize in Developing Strategies to Promote It? References Appendix A: Workshop Agenda Appendix B: Acronyms and Abbreviations Appendix C: Speaker and Moderator Biosketches

An estimated 90 percent of oncology patients in the United States receive treatment in outpatient cancer centers and clinics. This change from the older model of inpatient care has important implications for overall quality of care for oncology patients and nutritional care in particular. Amidst growing concern about access to oncology nutrition services, combined with growing recognition of the importance of providing nutritional care to optimize oncology treatment outcomes and maximize quality of life among both patients and survivors of cancer, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine convened a public workshop in March 2016 to explore evolving interactions between nutritional care, cancer, and health outcomes. Participants explored how health outcomes and survival of cancer patients in outpatient cancer centers are affected by current standards for nutritional services, nutritional interventions, and benefits associated with oncology patient access to medical nutrition therapy. They also studied the cost of outpatient nutritional care and assessed cost?benefit relationships between oncology nutrition services and health outcomes and survival. This publication summarizes the presentations and discussions from the workshop. Table of Contents Front Matter 1 Introduction 2 Current Knowledge and Status of Nutrition Practices in Oncology Outpatient Care 3 Models of Care: National and International Perspectives 4 Benefits and Costs of Care 5 Dissemination and Implementation: Reaching the Ideal 6 Evidence on Nutrition Care in Outpatient Oncology: Closing Discussion References Appendix A: Workshop Agenda Appendix B: Biographical Sketches of Speakers and Moderators Appendix C: Additional References Used by the Planning Committee to Develop the Workshop

In 2008, the U.S. federal government issued fully approved physical activity guidelines for the first time. The idea that physical activity impacts health can be traced as far back as Hippocrates, and the science around the linkages between physical activity and health has continuously accumulated. On April 14-15, 2015, the Institute of Medicine's Roundtable on Obesity Solutions held a 2-day workshop to explore the state of the science regarding the impact of physical activity in the prevention and treatment of overweight and obesity and to highlight innovative strategies for promoting physical activity across different segments of the population. This report summarizes the presentations and discussions from this workshop. Table of Contents Front Matter 1 Introduction 2 Physical Activity and Primary Prevention of Obesity in Youth 3 Physical Activity and Primary Prevention of Obesity in Adults 4 Physical Activity-Related and -Induced Outcomes with Overweight and Obesity 5 Policy Strategies for Promoting Physical Activity 6 Community Strategies for Promoting Physical Activity 7 Institutional Strategies for Promoting Physical Activity 8 Implementation of Strategies That Promote Physical Activity References Appendix A: Workshop Agenda Appendix B: Perspectives on Disparities in Physical Activity1 Appendix C: Acronyms and Abbreviations Appendix D: Speaker Biographical Sketches

On July 9-10, 2014, the Institute of Medicine's Food Forum hosted a public workshop to explore emerging and rapidly developing research on relationships among the brain, the digestive system, and eating behavior. Drawing on expertise from the fields of nutrition and food science, animal and human physiology and behavior, and psychology and psychiatry as well as related fields, the purpose of the workshop was to (1) review current knowledge on the relationship between the brain and eating behavior, explore the interaction between the brain and the digestive system, and consider what is known about the brain's role in eating patterns and consumer choice; (2) evaluate current methods used to determine the impact of food on brain activity and eating behavior; and (3) identify gaps in knowledge and articulate a theoretical framework for future research. Relationships among the Brain, the Digestive System, and Eating Behavior summarizes the presentations and discussion of the workshop. Table of Contents Front Matter 1 Introduction 2 Interaction Between the Brain and the Digestive System 3 Assessing the Science Behind Methodologies Being Used to Characterize Food as Addictive 4 Future Directions: Is the Addiction Model for Drugs and Alcohol Appropriate for Food? 5 Integrating the Evidence References Appendix A: Abbreviations and Acronyms Appendix B: Workshop Agenda Appendix C: Speaker Biographical Sketches

The Food Forum convened a public workshop on February 22-23, 2012, to explore current and emerging knowledge of the human microbiome, its role in human health, its interaction with the diet, and the translation of new research findings into tools and products that improve the nutritional quality of the food supply. The Human Microbiome, Diet, and Health: Workshop Summary summarizes the presentations and discussions that took place during the workshop. Over the two day workshop, several themes covered included: The microbiome is integral to human physiology, health, and disease. The microbiome is arguably the most intimate connection that humans have with their external environment, mostly through diet. Given the emerging nature of research on the microbiome, some important methodology issues might still have to be resolved with respect to undersampling and a lack of causal and mechanistic studies. Dietary interventions intended to have an impact on host biology via their impact on the microbiome are being developed, and the market for these products is seeing tremendous success. However, the current regulatory framework poses challenges to industry interest and investment. Table of Contents Front Matter Overview 1 Introduction 2 Study of the Human Microbiome 3 Interaction Between the Microbiome and Health and Environment 4 Influence of the Microbiome on the Metabolism of Diet and Dietary Components 5 Influence of Diet and Dietary Components on the Microbiome 6 Societal and Policy Implications 7 Possibilities for the Future A: Workshop Agenda B: Speaker Biographical Sketches C: Workshop Attendees D: Abbreviations and Acronyms

Fungal diseases have contributed to death and disability in humans, triggered global wildlife extinctions and population declines, devastated agricultural crops, and altered forest ecosystem dynamics. Despite the extensive influence of fungi on health and economic well-being, the threats posed by emerging fungal pathogens to life on Earth are often underappreciated and poorly understood. On December 14 and 15, 2010, the IOM's Forum on Microbial Threats hosted a public workshop to explore the scientific and policy dimensions associated with the causes and consequences of emerging fungal diseases. Table of Contents Front Matter Workshop Overview Appendix A: Contributed Manuscripts Appendix B: Agenda Appendix C: Acronyms Appendix D: Glossary Appendix E: Forum Member Biographies Appendix FSpeaker Biographies

The U.S. food system provides many benefits, not the least of which is a safe, nutritious and consistent food supply. However, the same system also creates significant environmental, public health, and other costs that generally are not recognized and not accounted for in the retail price of food. These include greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, soil erosion, air pollution, and their environmental consequences, the transfer of antibiotic resistance from food animals to human, and other human health outcomes, including foodborne illnesses and chronic disease. Some external costs which are also known as externalities are accounted for in ways that do not involve increasing the price of food. But many are not. They are borne involuntarily by society at large. A better understanding of external costs would help decision makers at all stages of the life cycle to expand the benefits of the U.S. food system even further. The Institute of Medicine (IOM) and the National Research Council (NRC) with support from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) convened a public workshop on April 23-23, 2012, to explore the external costs of food, methodologies for quantifying those costs, and the limitations of the methodologies. The workshop was intended to be an information-gathering activity only. Given the complexity of the issues and the broad areas of expertise involved, workshop presentations and discussions represent only a small portion of the current knowledge and are by no means comprehensive. The focus was on the environmental and health impacts of food, using externalities as a basis for discussion and animal products as a case study. The intention was not to quantify costs or benefits, but rather to lay the groundwork for doing so. A major goal of the workshop was to identify information sources and methodologies required to recognize and estimate the costs and benefits of environmental and public health consequences associated with the U.S. food system. It was anticipated that the workshop would provide the basis for a follow-up consensus study of the subject and that a central task of the consensus study will be to develop a framework for a full-scale accounting of the environmental and public health effects for all food products of the U.S. food system. Exploring Health and Environmental Costs of Food: Workshop Summary provides the basis for a follow-up planning discussion involving members of the IOM Food and Nutrition Board and the NRC Board on Agriculture and Natural Resources and others to develop the scope and areas of expertise needed for a larger-scale, consensus study of the subject. Table of Contents Front Matter 1 Introduction 2 The Economics of Food Prices 3 Understanding Measures and Strategies 4 Examining Social and Ecological Costs and Benefits 5 Attaching Value to Costs and Benefits 6 Exploring Costs and Benefits 7 Reflecting on the Path Forward Appendix A: Workshop Agenda Appendix B: Speaker Biographical Sketches Appendix C: Workshop Attendees Appendix D: Abbreviations and Acronyms

On August 1 and 2, 2018, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine hosted a public workshop in Washington, DC, on sustainable diets, food, and nutrition. Workshop participants reviewed current and emerging knowledge on the concept of sustainable diets within the field of food and nutrition; explored sustainable diets and relevant impacts for cross-sector partnerships, policy, and research; and discussed how sustainable diets influence dietary patterns, the food system, and population and public health. This publication briefly summarizes the presentations and discussions from the workshop. Table of Contents Front Matter 1 Introduction 2 What Are Sustainable Diets? 3 Measurement and Analysis of Sustainable Diets from Production to Consumption 4 Sustainability and Healthy Dietary Changes Through Policy and Program Action 5 Innovation in Food Production and Distribution to Reduce Environmental Footprint 6 Concluding Discussion References Appendix A: Workshop Agenda Appendix B: Acronyms and Abbreviations Appendix C: Speaker and Moderator Biographies

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine held a workshop on August 22?23, 2018, in Washington, DC, to explore medical and public health preparedness for a nuclear incident. The event brought together experts from government, nongovernmental organizations, academia, and the private sector to explore current assumptions behind the status of medical and public health preparedness for a nuclear incident, examine potential changes in these assumptions in light of increasing concerns about the use of nuclear warfare, and discuss challenges and opportunities for capacity building in the current threat environment. This publication summarizes the presentations and discussions from the workshop. Table of Contents Front Matter 1 Introduction 2 Federal Planning for Nuclear Incidents 3 Current State of Nuclear Preparedness 4 Updating Planning Assumptions of Nuclear Preparedness 5 Implications of Communication, Education, and Information Challenges 6 Challenges for Building Capacity Within the Health Care System 7 Capability-Building Challenges and Opportunities: Building Response Capability 8 Capability-Building Challenges and Opportunities: Ensuring Workforce Readiness and Response Capacity 9 Building Preparedness and Response Capability: Looking to the Future 10 Reflections on the Workshop and Opportunities for Moving Forward References Appendix A: Workshop Agenda Appendix B: Workshop Speaker Biographies

The leading challenges in public health-ranging from rising obesity rates to the fast-growing population of older adults-are complex and cannot be solved effectively by any one silver bullet or any one sector in isolation. Instead, their solutions require collaborative actions of many sectors, including industry, government, academia, and nongovernmental organizations. To better understand how to build multisectoral food and nutrition partnerships that achieve meaningful public health results, the IOM's Food Forum held a workshop on November 1-2, 2011, in Washington, D.C. The workshop brought together stakeholders from various sectors to discuss the benefits and risks of pursuing cross-sector partnerships, foster communication between sectors, and explore opportunities of mutual interest in food and nutrition that are most conducive for partnerships. Participants also discussed the perspectives of the various sectors, key features of successful partnerships, and what needs to be done to facilitate partnership development. This report, Building Public-Private Partnerships in Food and Nutrition: Workshop Summary, summarizes the workshop. Table of Contents Front Matter 1 Introduction 2 Why Partner? 3 How to Partner 4 What Next? References Appendix A: Workshop Agenda Appendix B: Speaker Biographical Sketches Appendix C: Workshop Attendees

Globalization is by no means a new phenomenon; transcontinental trade and the movement of people date back at least 2,000 years, to the era of the ancient Silk Road trade route. The global spread of infectious disease has followed a parallel course. Indeed, the emergence and spread of infectious disease are, in a sense, the epitome of globalization. Although some experts mark the fall of the Berlin Wall as the beginning of this new era of globalization, others argue that it is not so new. The future of globalization is still in the making. Despite the successful attempts of the developed world during the course of the last century to control many infectious diseases and even to eradicate some deadly afflictions, 13 million people worldwide still die from such diseases every year. On April 16 and 17, 2002, the Forum on Emerging Infections held a working group discussion on the influence of globalization on the emergence and control of infectious diseases. The contents of the unattributed sections are based on the presentations and discussions that took place during the workshop. The Impact of Globalization on Infectious Disease Emergence and Control report summarizes the presentations and discussions related to the increasing cross-border and cross-continental movements of people and how this could exacerbate the emergence and global spread of infectious diseases. This report also summarizes the means by which sovereign states and nations must adopt a global public health mind-set and develop a new organizational framework to maximize the opportunities and overcome the challenges created by globalization and build the necessary capacity to respond effectively to emerging infectious disease threats. Table of Contents Front Matter Summary and Assessment 1 A World in Motion: The Global Movement of People, Products, Pathogens, and Power 2 Examining the Consequences: A Changing Landscape 3 The Global Application of Knowledge, Tools, and Technology: Opportunities and Obstacles 4 Creating a Framework for Progress Appendix A Agenda Appendix B International Law, Infectious Diseases, and Globalization Appendix C Changing Vector Ecologies: Political Geographic Perspectives Appendix D Social Aspects of Public Health Challenges in Period of Globalization: The Case of Russia

Caffeine in Food and Dietary Supplements is the summary of a workshop convened by the Institute of Medicine in August 2013 to review the available science on safe levels of caffeine consumption in foods, beverages, and dietary supplements and to identify data gaps. Scientists with expertise in food safety, nutrition, pharmacology, psychology, toxicology, and related disciplines; medical professionals with pediatric and adult patient experience in cardiology, neurology, and psychiatry; public health professionals; food industry representatives; regulatory experts; and consumer advocates discussed the safety of caffeine in food and dietary supplements, including, but not limited to, caffeinated beverage products, and identified data gaps. Caffeine, a central nervous stimulant, is arguably the most frequently ingested pharmacologically active substance in the world. Occurring naturally in more than 60 plants, including coffee beans, tea leaves, cola nuts and cocoa pods, caffeine has been part of innumerable cultures for centuries. But the caffeine-in-food landscape is changing. There are an array of new caffeine-containing energy products, from waffles to sunflower seeds, jelly beans to syrup, even bottled water, entering the marketplace. Years of scientific research have shown that moderate consumption by healthy adults of products containing naturally-occurring caffeine is not associated with adverse health effects. The changing caffeine landscape raises concerns about safety and whether any of these new products might be targeting populations not normally associated with caffeine consumption, namely children and adolescents, and whether caffeine poses a greater health risk to those populations than it does for healthy adults. This report delineates vulnerable populations who may be at risk from caffeine exposure; describes caffeine exposure and risk of cardiovascular and other health effects on vulnerable populations, including additive effects with other ingredients and effects related to pre-existing conditions; explores safe caffeine exposure levels for general and vulnerable populations; and identifies data gaps on caffeine stimulant effects. Table of Contents Front Matter 1 Introduction 2 Intake and Exposure to Caffeine 3 Safety Signals and Surveillance 4 Exploring Safe Caffeine Exposure Levels for Vulnerable Populations 5 Caffeine Effects on the Cardiovascular System 6 Caffeine Effects on the Central Nervous System and Behavioral Effects Associated with Caffeine Consumption 7 Other Compounds Impacting Caffeine Effects 8 Public Comments 9 Moving Forward: Filling the Data Gaps Appendix A: Workshop Agenda Appendix B: Workshop Attendees Appendix C: Biographical Sketches of Workshop Speakers and Moderators Appendix D: Workshop Statement of Task

One of the many benefits of the U.S. food system is a safe, nutritious, and consistent food supply. However, the same system also places significant strain on land, water, air, and other natural resources. A better understanding of the food-environment synergies and trade-offs associated with the U.S. food system would help to reduce this strain. Many experts would like to use that knowledge to develop dietary recommendations on the basis of environmental as well as nutritional considerations. But identifying and quantifying those synergies and trade-offs, let alone acting on them, is a challenge in and of itself. The difficulty stems in part from the reality that experts in the fields of nutrition, agricultural science, and natural resource use often do not regularly collaborate with each other, with the exception of some international efforts. Sustainable Diets is the summary of a workshop convened by The Institute of Medicine's Food Forum and Roundtable on Environmental Health Sciences, Research, and Medicine in May 2013 to engender dialogue between experts in nutrition and experts in agriculture and natural resource sustainability and to explore current and emerging knowledge on the food and nutrition policy implications of the increasing environmental constraints on the food system. Experts explored the relationship between human health and the environment, including the identification and quantification of the synergies and trade-offs of their impact. This report explores the role of the food price environment and how environmental sustainability can be incorporated into dietary guidance and considers research priorities, policy implications, and drivers of consumer behaviors that will enable sustainable food choices. Table of Contents Front Matter 1 Introduction 2 Defining Relationships: Synergies and Trade-Offs Between Health and Environmental Impacts 3 Quantifying Synergies and Trade-Offs: Moving Forward from Conceptual Links to Empirical Data 4 The Food Price Environment 5 Options and Approaches to Enable Sustainable Food Choices 6 Moving Forward Appendix A: Abbreviations and Acronyms Appendix B: Workshop Agenda Appendix C: Speaker Biographical Sketches

More than 30 years ago, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) and the National Research Council (NRC) convened a committee to determine methodologies and research needed to evaluate childbirth settings in the United States. The committee members reported their findings and recommendations in a consensus report, Research Issues in the Assessment of Birth Settings (IOM and NRC, 1982). An Update on Research Issues in the Assessment of Birth Settings is the summary of a workshop convened in March, 2013, to review updates to the 1982 report. Health care providers, researchers, government officials, and other experts from midwifery, nursing, obstetric medicine, neonatal medicine, public health, social science, and related fields presented and discussed research findings that advance our understanding of the effects of maternal care services in different birth settings on labor, clinical and other birth procedures, and birth outcomes. These settings include conventional hospital labor and delivery wards, birth centers, and home births. This report identifies datasets and relevant research literature that may inform a future ad hoc consensus study to address these concerns. Table of Contents Front Matter 1 Introduction 2 Context and Background 3 Assessment of Risk in Pregnancy 4 Birth Settings and Health Outcomes: State of the Science 5 Workforce Issues 6 Data Systems and Measurement 7 Costs, Values, and Reimbursement Issues Associated with Various Birth Settings 8 Perspective from Providers 9 Workshop Reflections: Moving the Research Agenda Forward References Appendix A: Workshop Agenda Appendix B: Moderator and Speaker Biographical Sketches Appendix C: Abbreviations and Acronyms

More than 16 million children in the United States live in food-insecure households where they are unable to obtain enough food to meet their needs. At the same time, a growing number of children are overweight or obese. Because of these challenges, improving child nutrition has emerged as one of the nation's most urgent public health needs. The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) food program, served about 3.3 million children in 2011, as well as more than 124,000 adults who require daily supervision or assistance. Since many children rely on CACFP for the majority of their daily food, the quality of foods provided has the potential to greatly improve the health of the children's diets. The USDA asked the IOM to review and recommend improvements, as necessary, to the CACFP meal requirements in order to keep them aligned with other federally funded food assistance programs and with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The 2011 IOM report, Child and Adult Care Food Program Aligning Dietary Guidance for All, reviewed the program in detail and provided recommendations for improvement. In February 2012, at the request of the USDA, the IOM conducted an additional workshop to examine research methods and approaches that could be used to design and conduct a nationally representative study assessing children's dietary intake and participation rates in child care facilities, including CACFP-sponsored child care centers and homes. Research Methods to Assess Dietary Intake and Program Participation in Child Day Care: Application to the Child and Adult Care Food Program Workshop Summary is the report that summarizes the workshop. Table of Contents Front Matter 1 Introduction 2 Alignment of Young Children's Dietary Intake with Current Dietary Guidance 3 Barriers and Facilitators to Providing Meals and Snacks that Align with the Current Dietary Guidance 4 Evaluating Program Access and Participation Trends 5 Moving Forward Appendix A: Workshop Agenda Appendix B: Biographical Sketches of Moderators and Speakers Appendix C: Workshop Attendees Appendix D: Abbreviations and Acronyms

Obesity is a major public health challenge. More than one-third of the U.S. adult population is considered obese, a figure that has more than doubled since the mid-1970s. Among children, obesity rates have more than tripled over the same period. Not only is obesity associated with numerous medical complications, but it incurs significant economic cost. At its simplest, obesity is a result of an energy imbalance, with obese (and overweight) people consuming more energy (calories) than they are expending. During the last 10-20 years, behavioral scientists have made significant progress toward building an evidence base for understanding what drives energy imbalance in overweight and obese individuals. Meanwhile, food scientists have been tapping into this growing evidence base to improve existing technologies and create new technologies that can be applied to alter the food supply in ways that reduce the obesity burden on the American population. Leveraging Food Technology for Obesity Prevention and Reduction Effort examines the complexity of human eating behavior and explores ways in which the food industry can continue to leverage modern food processing technologies to influence energy intake. The report also examines the opportunities and challenges of altering the food supply-both at home and outside the home-and outlines lessons learned, best practices, and next steps. Table of Contents Front Matter Workshop Summary Appendix A: Workshop Agenda Appendix B: Speaker and Moderator Biographical Sketches Appendix C: Abbreviations and Acronyms Appendix D: Workshop Attendees

Does a longer life mean a healthier life? The number of adults over 65 in the United States is growing, but many may not be aware that they are at greater risk from foodborne diseases and their nutritional needs change as they age. The IOM's Food Forum held a workshop October 29-30, 2009, to discuss food safety and nutrition concerns for older adults. Table of Contents Front Matter Overview 1 Introduction 2 Size and Demographics of Aging Populations 3 Physiology and Aging 4 Food Safety Concerns for Aging Populations 5 Nutrition Concerns for Aging Populations 6 Communicating with Aging Populations 7 Future Challenges and Solutions to Providing Healthy and Safe Foods to Aging Populations References Appendix A: Workshop Agenda Appendix B: Workshop Participants Appendix C: Speaker, Moderator, and Panelist Biographies Appendix D: Abbreviations and Acronyms

In the food industry, scientists are exploring the potential of nanotechnology to enhance the flavor and other sensory characteristics of foods, introduce antibacterial nanostructures into food packaging and encapsulate and deliver nutrients directly into targeted tissues, among other applications. However, as with any new technology, along with the benefits, there is the potential for unanticipated adverse effects. There is still a great deal to learn about any health outcomes related to introducing nanosized materials into foods and food packaging materials. Developing nanotechnology into a safe, effective tool for use in food science and technology will require addressing these and other questions. Assuring consumer confidence will be equally important to the success of this new emerging technology. The Institute of Medicine held a one-day workshop, summarized in this volume, to further explore the use of nanotechnology in food. Specifically, the workshop was organized around three primary topic areas: (1) the application of nanotechnology to food products; (2) the safety and efficacy of nanomaterials in food products; and (3) educating and informing consumers about the applications of nanotechnology to food products. Table of Contents Front Matter Overview 1 Introduction 2 Application of Nanotechnology to Food Products 3 Safety and Efficacy of Nanomaterials in Food Products 4 Educating and Informing Consumers About Applications of Nanotechnology to Food Products Appendix A: Workshop Agenda Appendix B: Workshop Participants Appendix C: Speaker Biographies Appendix D: Acronyms and Abbreviations

Legal regulations and manufacturers' monitoring practices have not been enough to prevent contamination of the national food supply and protect consumers from serious harm. In addressing food safety risks, regulators could perhaps better ensure the quality and safety of food by monitoring food production not just at a single point in production but all along the way, from farm to table. Recognizing the troubled state of food safety, the Institute of Medicine's (IOM) Food Forum met in Washington, DC, on September 9, 2008, to explore the management of food safety practices from the beginning of the supply chain to the marketplace. Table of Contents Front Matter Overview 1 Introduction 2 Recent Outbreaks in Food Products: Lessons Learned from Past Experience 3 The Complexities of Food Safety and Some Strategic Approaches Being Taken 4 The Way Forward: Varying Perspectives Appendix A: Workshop Agenda Appendix B: Workshop Participants Appendix C: Speaker, Moderator, and Disscussant Biographies Appendix D: Acronyms and Abbreviations

All pharmaceutical products have inherent risks, and their use involves trade-offs between their therapeutic benefits and their risks. However, the public has a limited understanding of the benefits and risks of drugs, and many individuals believe that drugs approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) carry no risks. The FDA is responsible for evaluating and balancing the potential risks of drugs with their potential benefits. Assessing, managing, and communicating the benefit-risk profile of a pharmaceutical product is a complex and nuanced scientific, political, and sociological challenge. Once the assessment is made, the FDA is then responsible for managing how to communicate these risks and make healthcare decisions based on them.
To explore these issues, the Forum on Drug Discovery, Development, and Translation conducted a public workshop entitled Understanding the Benefits and Risks of Pharmaceuticals, with the broad goals of gaining a better understanding of the current system used to evaluate benefit and risk, and to identify opportunities for improvement. This workshop was held in Washington, D.C., on May 30-31, 2006. The benefit-risk profiles of pharmaceuticals are constantly evolving as new data are collected throughout the life cycle of a drug. Discussions during the workshop focused on the following: (1) premarket assessment, during which clinical trial data are used to assess benefit and risk; (2) communication of that information to prescribing physicians and their patients; (3) healthcare decisions made by prescribing physicians and their patients; and (4) the accumulation of benefit-risk information from postmarketing experience, which feeds back into the other phases. Understanding the Benefits and Risks of Pharmaceuticals: Workshop Summary explains in detail the discussions during this workshop.