Texas Nutrition Advisory Committee
This page provides information about Texas Nutrition Advisory Committee.
Texas Nutrition Advisory Committee
The Texas Legislature added Health and Safety Code, Chapter 119B, to establish the Texas Nutrition Advisory Committee (TNAC) in 2025. Statute tasks TNAC with:
- Examining the impact of nutrition on human health and the connection between ultra-processed foods and the prevalence of chronic diseases;
- Providing an independent review of scientific studies analyzing the effects of ultra-processed foods on human health;
- Providing education on the effects of ultra-processed foods on human health; and
- Developing and maintaining dietary and nutritional guidelines.
By September 1 of each year, TNAC is required to report on their work and present their nutritional guidelines and recommendations. DSHS will publish TNAC’s report and any nutritional guidelines from TNAC on this page.
Health and Safety Code, Chapter 119B, will expire and TNAC will end on December 31, 2032.
Texas Nutrition Advisory Committee (TNAC) Request for SME Collaboration
The Texas Nutrition Advisory Committee (TNAC) is welcoming volunteer Subject Matter Experts’ (SMEs) collaboration with reviewing and assessing evidence on diet and health outcomes for the committee’s forthcoming inaugural report.
TNAC is looking for SMEs to assist with structured evidence reviews within the topic areas below with available support from the Department of State Health Services’ library. Detailed guidance and review materials will be provided by TNAC to the volunteer SMEs.
SMEs will be asked to:
1. Rapidly review scientific literature using the structured approach outlined by TNAC.
2. Focus on evidence related to dietary patterns, dietary quality and behaviors and consumption of minimally processed vs. ultra-processed foods and their relationships to health outcomes across the life course.
3. Assess studies using simplified tools and resources provided by TNAC.
4. Draft the summaries for TNAC for considering and utilizing in the committee’s forthcoming report as appropriate.
SMEs interested in volunteering to TNAC with above topic areas are encouraged to email TNAC@dshs.texas.gov as soon as possible.
Interested SMEs may also attend upcoming TNAC open meetings and provide public comment. Meeting dates and times will be posted on this website.
Upcoming Meetings
All meetings are open to the public.
| Date | Time | Agenda | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 16, 2026 | 1:00 pm | Agenda | Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Moreton Building Room M100, First Floor 1100 West 49th Street Austin, TX 78756 |
| May 27, 2026 | 10:00 am | TBD | Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Moreton Building Room M100, First Floor 1100 West 49th Street Austin, TX 78756 |
| June 25, 2026 | 10:00 am | TBD | Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Moreton Building Room M100, First Floor 1100 West 49th Street Austin, TX 78756 |
| July 14, 2026 | 1:00 pm | TBD | Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Moreton Building Room M100, First Floor 1100 West 49th Street Austin, TX 78756 |
| August 19, 2026 | 1:00 pm | TBD | Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Moreton Building Room M100, First Floor 1100 West 49th Street Austin, TX 78756 |
| September 9, 2026 | 1:00 pm | TBD | Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Moreton Building Room M100, First Floor 1100 West 49th Street Austin, TX 78756 |
| November 16, 2026 | 1:00 pm | TBD | Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Moreton Building Room M100, First Floor 1100 West 49th Street Austin, TX 78756 |
Past Meetings and Materials
| Date | Meeting | Agenda | Minutes | Webcast |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 11, 2026 | Texas Nutrition Advisory Committee | Agenda | TBD | TNAC Webcast March 2026 |
| January 21, 2026 | Texas Nutrition Advisory Committee | Agenda | Minutes | TNAC Webcast January 2026 |
TNAC Roster
| Name | City | Membership Category | Term Expires* | Public Health Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Padmaja Patel, MD | Midland | Expert in metabolic health, culinary medicine, lifestyle medicine, or integrative medicine | 9/1/2029 | 9/10 |
| Ann M. Shippy, MD | Austin | Licensed physician certified in functional medicine | 9/1/2027 | 7 |
| Sidney C. “Sid” Miller | Stephenville | Texas Department of Agriculture representative | 9/1/2027 | 2/3 |
| Natalie Bachynsky, PhD | Lovelady | Rural community member | 9/1/2027 | 4/5N |
| Cheryl Sew Hoy | Austin | Urban community member | 9/1/2029 | 7 |
| Jaclyn Lewis Albin, MD | Bedford | Pediatrician specializing in metabolic health | 9/1/2029 | 2/3 |
| Kathleen Davis, PhD | Denton | General member | 9/1/2029 | 2/3 |
* TNAC members serve staggered four-year terms.