The Food Based Dietary Guidelines (FBDG) are educational tools that help people to select appropriate foods for good nutrition and health. Most countries have FBDG's, but its dissemination and implementation have shown weaknesses. This paper presents the development process and validation of the 2012 FBDG for the Chilean population. The latest scientific evidence was reviewed and new messages were validated with METAPLAN, a qualitative-quantitative method for problem analysis applied to information gathered with 48 focus groups from Arica, Santiago and Chillán-Concepción. The messages promote consumption of healthy foods, focusing on critical nutrients (sugar, saturated fats, sodium) and energy intake reduction. Final version of the messages considered comments and suggestions from participants and from two expert panels. Its implementation should include promotion strategies that involve the Ministry of Health, Education, Agriculture, universities, industry and mass media, in order to achieve changes in feeding behavior in the most vulnerable segments of the Chilean population.