USCA Applauds Statement by Cabinet Members on 2015 Dietary Guidelines

The United States Cattlemen’s Association (USCA) applauds today’s remarks made by United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack and Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Sylvia Burwell regarding the 2015 Dietary Guidelines. Both Secretaries testified today in front of the House Agriculture Committee regarding the proposed 2015 Dietary Guidelines.

USCA Dietary and Nutrition Chair Linda Chezem commented, “USCA appreciates Chairman Conaway (R-TX) and Ranking Member Collin Peterson (D-MN) in holding today’s hearing to review the development of the 2015 Dietary Guidelines. USCA is pleased that both Secretary Vilsack and Secretary Burwell have acknowledged the vast overreach taken by the committee in drafting their proposed guidelines. The inclusion of sustainability and environmental concerns in the proposed 2015 guidelines was far outside the committee’s expertise and stated goal. The comments made by both Secretaries that these sections will not be included in the final guidelines is welcome news to all of those in agriculture.” “Secretary Vilsack has previously commented on the overreach of these additional sections and we once again applaud his stance on this issue.” “USCA is also pleased with the blog post issued this week by Secretary Vilsack and Secretary Burwell in which they describe the next steps in the process of producing a final 2015 Dietary Guidelines document.” As stated within the post: “…though the guidelines have yet to be finalized, we know they will be similar in many key respects to those of past years. Fruits and vegetables, low-fat dairy, whole grains and lean meats and other proteins, and limited amounts of saturated fats, added sugars and sodium remain the building blocks of a healthy lifestyle.” Chezem continued, “USCA and producers across the country know the inherent nutritional value of red meat in a balanced diet. The ongoing attempts by the 2015 panel to slant the guidelines in a direction pandering to special interests and specific lifestyle choices clearly shows the bias behind the proposed guidelines. USCA and the U.S. cattle industry are proud of the nutritional value of red meat and the inclusion of lean meats in a healthy diet.”

“We look forward to reviewing the final 2015 Dietary Guidelines and encourage both HHS and USDA to use best-science moving forward which accurately takes into account all nutritional qualities needed in a healthy, comprehensive diet.”