At a press conference held on May 15 by the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine (NATCM), it was announced that medicinal diets and dietary therapy have been integrated into various TCM guidelines and protocols. More than 400 TCM treatment plans, over 50 nursing protocols, and 20 preventive care intervention guidelines formulated by the NATCM now include dietary guidance and are being promoted and applied nationwide.

Medicinal diets, rooted in thousands of years of practice and development, play a unique role in safeguarding public health, disease prevention, and rehabilitation. As economic and social development progresses and health awareness increases, traditional Chinese dietary therapy is gaining more public attention.

Ouyang Bo, Deputy Director of the Department of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine and Ethnic Medicine at the NATCM, explained that medicinal diets have been incorporated into national health strategies. Key policy documents such as the Strategic Plan for the Development of Traditional Chinese Medicine (2016–2030) and the National Nutrition Plan (2017–2030) include provisions for medicinal diets and traditional dietary therapy. The NATCM is actively promoting the role of dietary therapy in health promotion, chronic disease prevention, and rehabilitation, and has launched initiatives to encourage medical institutions to provide related services.

At the same time, China continues to strengthen standardization and talent development in the field of medicinal diets. The China Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine and the China Medicinal Diet Research Association have issued nine industry standards, including the General Guidelines for Medicinal Diets Based on Medicinal Food Homology and the Spring Seasonal Health-Preserving Medicinal Diet Guide. The NATCM also supports the development of four key academic disciplines focused on TCM wellness and backs institutions offering national-level continuing education programs related to dietary therapy.

Ouyang Bo stated that in the next phase, the NATCM will enhance public education and the practical promotion of medicinal diets. It will guide TCM hospitals to strengthen their nutrition departments and preventive medicine services, and encourage family doctors to provide personalized dietary guidance.

Jiang Jian, President of the China Medicinal Diet Research Association, said the association will increase scientific research efforts, develop more safe and effective medicinal diet products, improve the standardization system, and advocate for higher product quality and service standards. The association will also promote cross-industry integration and supply chain coordination to offer consumers a wider variety of products.