LAUSR

Abstract Governments use food-based dietary guidelines (FBDGs) to outline what constitutes a healthy diet to guide their population. The potential of FBDGs to align national food-related policies and programmes is increasingly recognized but information on FBDG implementation is scarce. We conducted a key informant survey in 27 countries. Several types of implementation activities were identified within various sectors and settings, although there were few examples from low- and middle-income countries. Most countries had an official body responsible for implementation, but a strategy/plan for implementation and budget allocation were less common, and very few collected monitoring and evaluation data. We argue for a food systems approach that involves sectors beyond nutrition and health in the development and implementation of FBDGs, to facilitate the alignment of policies that aim to promote healthy eating.