---
kind: "section"
citation: "7 U.S.C. § 3172"
title: "7"
title_heading: "Agriculture"
number: "3172"
heading: "Duties of Secretary of Agriculture"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/7/3172"
units:
  - "Chapter 64 — Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching"
  - "Subchapter IV — National Food and Human Nutrition Research and Extension Program"
---

# §3172. Duties of Secretary of Agriculture


In order to carry out the policy of this subchapter, the [Secretary](/usc/7/3103.md?p=15) shall develop and implement a national food and human nutrition research and [extension](/usc/7/3103.md?p=8) 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](/usc/7/3103.md?p=7);
- (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.

## Source credit

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

## Notes

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date

Section effective Oct. 1, 1977, see section 1901 of Pub. L. 95–113, set out as an Effective Date of 1977 Amendment note under section 1307 of this title.