New Michigan Law Ensures Qualified Nutrition Care Protects Consumers

April 30, 2024

CHICAGO – Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has signed a newly passed law that ensures Michiganders will receive evidence-based, nutrition care services from qualified professionals. Medical nutrition therapy, which if provided by an unqualified practitioner presents a significant risk of harm, is narrowly licensed under this new law.

"Today is a significant victory for public health and consumer protection," said Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics President Dr. Lauri Wright. "By establishing licensing requirements for dietitians, Michigan lawmakers have taken a crucial step towards ensuring that individuals receive timely, cost-effective, qualified nutrition care, thereby contributing to better health outcomes for communities across the state.” 

The new law establishes rigorous standards and criteria for individuals seeking to practice as licensed dietitian nutritionists within the state of Michigan by aligning requirements for licensure with those of the registered dietitian nutritionist credential. 

“As a public health registered dietitian nutritionist, I am thrilled our policy leaders have made medical nutrition therapy more accessible to Michiganders,” said Mark Thiesmeyer Hook, President of the Michigan Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. “MNT has been underutilized for both treatment and prevention of disease. We've taken an important step toward improving the health of Michigan.”

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Representing more than 112,000 credentialed nutrition and dietetics practitioners, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is the world’s largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. The Academy is committed to improving health and advancing the profession of dietetics through research, education, and advocacy. Visit the Academy at www.eatright.org.