AbstractFood and nutrition policy has been discussed in many settings and by many authors, as has the data base required for planning. It is apparent that the concepts of food and nutrition policy, and consequently the predicted data requirements, vary among the discussions. So that the discussions that follow may be seen in proper perspective, a brief outline of this author's concept of a workable food and nutrition policy is presented along with the framework of information needed as a basis for planning.This paper was presented at the Ninth Session of the Joint FAO/WHO Committee of Experts on Nutrition held in Rome 11–20 December 1974.