TABLE 1.

The EFSA opinion on the scientific process of developing FBDGs for diverse European populations consisting of a stepwise approach¹

	Step	Comment
1	Identification of diet-health relations	Evidence on diet-health relations is available from reviews that are carried out regularly by national and international agencies
2	Identification of country-specific diet-related health problems	Specific diet-related health patterns and disease and mortality rates should be reviewed to identify and prioritize nutrition problems of public health significance
3	Identification of nutrients of public health importance	Nutrient imbalances in the population (groups) should be identified by comparing habitual intake from dietary surveys to DRVs, and by using anthropometric and available biochemical indicators of nutritional status
4	Identification of foods relevant for FBDGs	Food groups that are sources of nutrients of public health importance and foods for which intakes explain differences between groups who do and do not achieve target nutrient recommendations should be identified from observed patterns of dietary intake; intake of food groups with established relations to health (e.g., fruit and vegetables) should also be estimated
5	Identification of food-consumption patterns	Food-consumption patterns in the population that are consistent with the achievement of recommended intakes of nutrients should be identified. In addition, it is important to identify population characteristics for each pattern. Recommendations for FBDGs should be made taking into account specific needs of population groups.
6	Testing and optimizing FBDGs	The coherence and effectiveness of FBDGs in meeting nutrient recommendations should be confirmed by modeling of food and nutrient intake data and the FBDGs should be adapted appropriately
7	Graphical representations of FBDGs	Graphical representations of FBDGs may be developed in order to facilitate communication to consumers

¹Data from reference 3. DRV, Dietary Reference Value; EFSA, European Food Safety Authority; FBDG, food-based dietary guideline.