The Agriculture Appropriations Bill, passed later in 1977,[3] instructed the USDA to establish an "adult" human nutrition research facility at Tufts University in Massachusetts.
[5] It has made significant contributions to U.S. and international nutritional and physical activity recommendations, public policy, and clinical healthcare.
[6] These contributions include advancements in the knowledge of the role of dietary calcium[7][8] and vitamin D in promoting nutrition and bone health,[9] the role of nutrients in maintaining the optimal immune response[10] and prevention of infectious diseases, role of diet in prevention of cancer, obesity research,[11] modifications to the Food Guide Pyramid,[12] contribution to USDA nutrient data bank, advancements in the study of sarcopenia, heart disease,[13] vision, brain and cognitive function,[14] front of packaging food labeling initiatives,[15] and research of how genetic factors impact predisposition to weight gain[6] and various health indicators.
[18] HNRCA scientists collectively average more than one high-impact scientific journal publication each business day of the year and are often cited in the media.
[27] The HNRCA scientists collectively average more than one high-impact scientific journal publication each business day of the year and receive a large amount of high-profile media exposure.