SACN | Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition

MEETINGS	REPORTS	PRESS RELEASES	NEWS

SACN Reports

Annual reports of the committee's activities are published each summer and made available on this site.

SACN Reports

Infant Feeding Survey 2005: A commentary on infant feeding practices in the UK
SACN have published their review of the findings from the Infant Feeding Survey 2005. This report highlights implications for policy and recommends options for improving infant feeding practices in the UK. This report can be purchased from The Stationary Office.

Update on trans fatty acids and health
SACN have now published their report reviewing the evidence on trans fatty acids and health. This report can be purchased from The Stationary Office.

Application of the WHO Growth Standards in the UK
The Report prepared by the Joint SACN/RCPCH Expert Group on Growth Standards have now published their report on the Applicability of the WHO Growth Standards in the UK..

Update on Vitamin D
SACN have published an update paper on vitamin D which highlights the prevalence of low vitamin D status throughout the UK population and the re-emergence of rickets in subgroups of the population. In addition, the paper has a focus on pregnant women and children and provides a synopsis of the evidence which relates to vitamin D. This report can be purchased from The Stationary Office.

Annual Report 2006
This year saw the continued work of several groups established in previous years: the Energy Requirements Working Group and the Maternal and Child Nutrition Subgroup. In addition, a new group was established this year. The Growth Standards Working Group has been set up to advise the Department of Health on the suitability and applicability of the new WHO Growth Standards in the UK. This is a joint group of SACN and the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH).

Report on Folate and Disease Prevention
The SACN report on folate and disease prevention has now been published. It is available to purchase in hard copy from The Stationery Office.

The Committee are pleased to note that the Foods Standards Agency are consulting on options for increasing the folate status of young women. Visit www.food.gov/consultations for more info.

Annual Report 2005
This year saw the continued work of several groups that were established in previous years: the Working Group on Iron, the Subgroup on Maternal and Child Nutrition and the Subgroup on Folate. In addition a new Working group on Energy Requirements was established this year

Review of Dietary Advice on Vitamin A
This report follows a request from the Food Standards Agency to SACN to reassess dietary advice to consumers on foods and supplements containing vitamin A. The report makes a number of recommendations, focusing on regular consumers of liver, liver products and retinol containing supplements and those at increased risk of osteoporosis. Other recommendations include ones relating to animal feeds and retinol containing supplements. Pregnant women or women planning to become pregnant are still advised not to consume liver, liver products, or supplements containing retinol (including those containing fish liver oil).

Annual Report 2004
This year has seen the publication of the first joint SACN and Committee on Toxicology (COT) report, entitled Advice on fish consumption: benefits and risks. An Inter-Committee Subgroup, comprising members from both SACN and COT, was established to consider the benefits and risks of fish consumption. This year also saw the continued work of several groups that were established in previous years: the Working Group on Iron; the Subgroup on Maternal and Child Nutrition; and the Vitamin A Subgroup. A Folate Subgroup was established this year, which will report its conclusions to the main Committee next year.

Advice on fish consumption: benefits & risks
The majority of the UK population does not consume enough fish, particularly oily fish, and should be encouraged to increase consumption. The Inter-Committee Subgroup endorsed the COMA population guideline recommendation that people should eat at least two portions of fish a week, of which one should be oily.

Annual Report 2003
his year saw the continued work of several groups that were established in previous years: the Working Group on Iron and the Subgroup on Maternal and Child Nutrition. Several new working groups were established this year: a group comprising members of both SACN and the Committee on Toxicology to assess the risks and benefits of fish consumption, and the Vitamin A Subgroup.

Annual Report 2002
This report reflects the wide range of issues which the Committee has been asked to consider during the course of the year. These include matters which have been considered during its regular meetings, by its working groups and also by correspondence...

Annual Report 2001
This, the Committee’s first year, has been one chiefly concerned with the foundations upon which the Committee will work. The report reflects this in containing the principles by which the Committee will function; its Code of Practice, Terms of Reference, and details on the openness of committee meetings...

Salt and Health Report
High blood pressure is common in the UK. Comments on the draft report are available from the Secretariat. It is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease and premature death. Reducing the average salt intake of the population is likely to decrease the burden of high blood pressure and improve public health...

Risk Assessment
This document has been prepared for use by SACN in evaluating evidence that relates food and nutrients to health. It is a working document and as such may be subject to amendment depending upon requirements and experience with its use.

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