National Institute for Nutrition and Health
The National Institute of Nutrition and Food Safety is one of China's health research institutions that is affiliated with the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention. The Institute not only undertakes basic research and field studies, but also organizes and conducts nationwide research programs. In addition, the Institute gives advice on the nutrition and food hygiene projects of the health units at the provincial level. The Institute was formerly known as the Nutrition Division of the National Institute of Health of the Public Health Administration, which was established in 1941. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, the Institute was affiliated with the following leading bodies under the title of the Department of Nutrition or the Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene:
| Dates | Department Name |
|---|---|
| 1950-1957 | National Institute of Health, Ministry of Public Health |
| 1957-1983 | Institute of Health, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences |
| 1983-1985 | Institute of Health, China National Center for Preventive Medicine |
| 1985-1986 | Institute of Health, Chinese Academy of Preventive Medicine |
In April 1986, the Institute of Nutrition and Food Hygiene was established under the Chinese Academy of Preventive Medicine.
The Institute comprises 13 departments, some of which include Elderly Nutrition, Maternal and Child Nutrition, Community Nutrition, School Nutrition, Food Chemistry, and Food Toxicology. At present, the Institute has a staff of 176, including 158 scientists and technicians (16 professors, 14 associate professors, 32 research associates, 39 research assistants, 2 associate technical experts, 15 chief technicians, and 40 technicians and technical assistants) and 19 administrative and other employees. The Institute has been authorized to award doctoral and master's degrees in the field of nutrition and food hygiene. Since 1981, the Institute has been designated as the FAO/WHO Collaborative Center for Food Contamination Monitoring in China. The permanent office of the Chinese Nutrition Society is also located in the Institute building.
The objectives of the Institute are to study the health-related nutrition and food hygiene problems and to train nutrition and food hygiene specialists. These objectives have been established to improve nutritional status, prevent food borne diseases, and strengthen the physical fitness of the people.