Developing an Evidence Review Cycle Model for Canadian Dietary Guidance

Formulating dietary guidance involves navigating a large volume of substantive, conflicting evidence. Canada's guidance is determined after periodic evidence reviews. Health Canada identified the need for a more formal and systematic process to gather, assess, and analyze evidence. This led to the development of the Evidence Review Cycle model for Canada's dietary guidance. The Evidence Review Cycle consists of 5 steps that form a dynamic, iterative process to promote evidence-based, transparent, and proactive decision making. Resulting actions may include enhancing the implementation of guidance, revising guidance, or developing new guidance. Here, the development of this model is described, including considerations for implementation.