The ICMR-NIN is an institution, specifically the ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition, a premier public health, nutrition, and translational research center in India. It is the largest and one of the oldest research centers under the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). The institute was founded by Sir Robert McCarrison in 1918 as the 'Beri-Beri' Enquiry Unit at the Pasteur Institute in Coonoor, Tamil Nadu, to solve the problem of deficiency diseases. It evolved into the "Nutrition Research Laboratories" (NRL) in 1928 and was shifted to Hyderabad in 1958. It was renamed the National Institute of Nutrition (NIN) in 1969 on its golden jubilee.
The ICMR-NIN works by conducting extensive research on dietary patterns, micronutrient deficiencies, and food safety to generate high-quality evidence for public health nutrition challenges. Its mechanism involves continuous monitoring of the country's diet and nutrition situation, evolving effective methods for managing nutritional problems, and conducting operational research for national nutrition programs. A key function is the formulation of the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) and the Dietary Guidelines for Indians. The institute connects to national bodies like the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and the Ministry of Women and Child Development by acting in an advisory role.
The institute recently updated its Dietary Guidelines for Indians in 2024, replacing the previous 2011 edition. The 2024 guidelines represent a significant change by integrating new scientific evidence, such as the '1000-day nutrition' concept for pregnant women, increasing the recommended intake of green leafy vegetables from 50g to 100g daily, and introducing the "My Plate for the Day" model. This update addresses India's dual burden of malnutrition and the rising non-communicable diseases.