SACN advises on:

• nutrient content of individual foods, and on diet as a whole including the definition of a balanced diet, and the nutritional status of people

• nutritional status of people in the UK and how it may be monitored

• nutritional issues which affect wider public health policy issues including conditions where nutritional status is one of a number of risk factors (eg cardiovascular disease, cancer, osteoporosis and/or obesity)

• nutrition of vulnerable groups (eg infants and the elderly) and health inequality issues

research requirements for the above

SACN is supported in its work by a secretariat provided by PHE. The secretariat has scientific expertise that enables them to provide members with comprehensive background information and briefing papers to inform the decision making processes of the Committee.