The Association and its credentialing agency, the Commission on Dietetic Registration, believe it is in the best interest of the profession and the public it serves to have a Code of Ethics in place that provides guidance to dietetics practitioners in their professional practice and conduct.

Published Code of Ethics

The Code of Ethics Task Force reviewed and revised the 1999 Code of Ethics in March 2009. The ADA Board of Directors, Commission on Dietetic Registration and House of Delegates approved the revised Code in May 2009. The 2009 Code of Ethics was published in the August 2009 Journal of the American Dietetic Association (pages 1461-1467). The 2009 Code is in effect as of January 1, 2010 and the 1999 version of the code is no longer valid.

• Code of Ethics for the Profession of Dietetics and Process for Consideration of Ethics Issues — August 2009 Journal article

Educational Resources

A variety of educational resources have been created to assist practitioners in understanding the practical application of the Code of Ethics.

• Doing What Is Right: Ethical Applications in Dietetics
• Ethics Committee
• Ethics Opinions
• Ethics in Action Columns
• Guidelines Regarding the Recommendation and Sale of Dietary Supplements
• Ethics Complaints and Violations
• Videos and Case Studies
• Promotional Pieces for Newsletters
• International Code of Ethics and Code of Good Practice

ADA Code of Ethics 'For Further Reading' List

The "For Further Reading List" can be used by educators to direct reading and learning objectives for students in the area of ethics and ethical behaviors as a professional in dietetics. Practitioners can use the list to keep current on ethics and the impact on practice. This list was prepared by the ADA Ethics Committee and will be updated twice per year, in January and August.

• Code of Ethics 'For Further Reading' List