Newly released dietary guidelines for next year are not sitting well with some ag groups. The new recommendations put a focus on less red meat, in favor of plant-based proteins.
It is a move that NCBA says is a solution in search of a problem.
The group’s president Mark Eisele says, “Public health advice should be based on the totality of scientific evidence. The Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee ignored robust and rigorous scientific evidence about beef’s essential nutrients and the foundational, positive role it plays in health as a preferred protein food in a variety of healthy diets for all Americans.”
One of the most notable changes in the report is condensing the three current diet patterns into one. The new diet aims to increase consumption of beans and lentils while reducing red and processed meats.
Ranking Member of the Senate Ag Committee, Senator John Bozeman is also weighing in. He says, “The recommendation to reduce meat consumption is concerning, given beef is a nutrient-rich food that is part of a well-balanced and nutritious diet. As USDA and HHS develop the final dietary guidelines for Americans, I hope the process focuses on unbiased and evidenced-based nutrition science.”
