Health Policy Research Seminar: Lisa Harnack, DrPH, RD, MPH, Professor and Interim Division Head of Epidemiology & Community Health, University of Minnesota
12:00pm - 1:00pm • 1104 Blockley Hall (Note: Virtual attendees can join by accessing this link: https://upenn.zoom.us/j/95353951407.)
2025-11-13 12:00:00 2025-11-13 13:00:00 America/New_York Health Policy Research Seminar: Lisa Harnack, DrPH, RD, MPH, Professor and Interim Division Head of Epidemiology & Community Health, University of Minnesota This event is co-sponsored with the The Center for Food and Nutrition Policy. for Lisa Harnack is a public health nutrition expert whose research strengthens the scientific evidence underpinning nutrition policies, programs, and practices. She led the first experimental trial evaluating whether placing calorie information on restaurant menus influences meal choices and consumption. Findings from this study have been cited in more than 30 domestic and international policy-related documents and reports, including the FDA’s code of regulation for calorie labeling on restaurant menus. More recently, Dr. Harnack conducted the first experimental trials assessing food purchase restrictions on sugary foods as a strategy to improve family nutrition within the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Her findings continue to inform ongoing policy discussions on potential program changes. She also authored a CDC-commissioned study identifying sources of sodium in the American diet, which revealed that 71% of sodium intake comes from salt and other sodium compounds added during commercial food processing. This research carries regulatory implications, as the FDA has indicated it may reconsider the Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) status of salt if voluntary sodium reduction efforts prove insufficient. In addition to her research, Dr. Harnack directs the University of Minnesota Nutrition Coordinating Center (NCC). The NCC developed, maintains, and supports two widely used dietary assessment tools: the Nutrition Data System for Research (NDSR) and the NCC Food and Nutrient Database. NDSR is used in research at over 100 institutions—including most major research universities as well as government agencies such as the NIH and NASA. The NCC Food and Nutrient Database is also licensed to support food frequency questionnaires, such as the NIH Diet History Questionnaire, and consumer diet-tracking applications. 1104 Blockley Hall (Note: Virtual attendees can join by accessing this link: https://upenn.zoom.us/j/95353951407.) Penn Medical Ethics
This event is co-sponsored with the The Center for Food and Nutrition Policy.
for Lisa Harnack is a public health nutrition expert whose research strengthens the scientific evidence underpinning nutrition policies, programs, and practices. She led the first experimental trial evaluating whether placing calorie information on restaurant menus influences meal choices and consumption. Findings from this study have been cited in more than 30 domestic and international policy-related documents and reports, including the FDA’s code of regulation for calorie labeling on restaurant menus.
More recently, Dr. Harnack conducted the first experimental trials assessing food purchase restrictions on sugary foods as a strategy to improve family nutrition within the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Her findings continue to inform ongoing policy discussions on potential program changes. She also authored a CDC-commissioned study identifying sources of sodium in the American diet, which revealed that 71% of sodium intake comes from salt and other sodium compounds added during commercial food processing. This research carries regulatory implications, as the FDA has indicated it may reconsider the Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) status of salt if voluntary sodium reduction efforts prove insufficient.
In addition to her research, Dr. Harnack directs the University of Minnesota Nutrition Coordinating Center (NCC). The NCC developed, maintains, and supports two widely used dietary assessment tools: the Nutrition Data System for Research (NDSR) and the NCC Food and Nutrient Database. NDSR is used in research at over 100 institutions—including most major research universities as well as government agencies such as the NIH and NASA. The NCC Food and Nutrient Database is also licensed to support food frequency questionnaires, such as the NIH Diet History Questionnaire, and consumer diet-tracking applications.