7 USC § 3172 - Duties of Secretary of Agriculture

---
identifier: "/us/usc/t7/s3172"
source: "usc"
legal_status: "official_prima_facie"
title: "7 USC § 3172 - Duties of Secretary of Agriculture"
title_number: 7
title_name: "AGRICULTURE"
section_number: "3172"
section_name: "Duties of Secretary of Agriculture"
chapter_number: 64
chapter_name: "AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH, EXTENSION, AND TEACHING"
subchapter_number: "IV"
subchapter_name: "NATIONAL FOOD AND HUMAN NUTRITION RESEARCH AND EXTENSION PROGRAM"
positive_law: false
currency: "119-84"
last_updated: "2026-04-17"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
source_credit: "(Pub. L. 95–113, title XIV, § 1422, Sept. 29, 1977, 91 Stat. 999.)"
---


# § 3172. Duties of Secretary of Agriculture

In order to carry out the policy of this subchapter, the Secretary shall develop and implement a national food and human nutrition research and extension program that shall include, but not be limited to—

**(1)** research on human nutritional requirements;

**(2)** research on the nutrient composition of foods and the effects of agricultural practices, handling, food processing, and cooking on the nutrients they contain;

**(3)** surveillance of the nutritional benefits provided to participants in the food programs administered by the Department of Agriculture;

**(4)** research on the factors affecting food preference and habits; and

**(5)** the development of techniques and equipment to assist consumers in the home or in institutions in selecting food that supplies a nutritionally adequate diet.

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**Source Credit**: (Pub. L. 95–113, title XIV, § 1422, Sept. 29, 1977, 91 Stat. 999.)

## Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date

Section effective , see , set out as an Effective Date of 1977 Amendment note under .