We all know what the food pyramid looks like: two to three servings of dairy a day, two to four servings of fruit, minimal sweets. But, the food pyramid you know may soon be missing a vital building block -- red meat.
Every five years, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) review the guidelines for what is considered to be a healthy diet. Recently, the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee released a report containing its latest recommendations for American consumption, and it leaves red meat out.
Not only is the absence of lean red meat concerning for health reasons, but a major concern is that the committee’s reasoning for leaving red meat out of the guidelines goes beyond health and nutrition, including environmental and sustainability issues. These aren’t issues that should concern a committee that recommends what is considered a healthy diet. The long-term consequence of this government report’s unfounded arguments could be less demand for meat, which hurts producers in Iowa and elsewhere around the country.
So, I joined a number of my colleagues in sending a letter urging USDA and HHS to reject these inconsistent conclusions and consider the most relevant scientific nutrition information. The letter also requested the agencies extend the public comment period from 45 days to 75 days. Last week, the agencies agreed and extended the deadline to May 8, 2015.
I encourage everybody to thoroughly review the committee’s report and to weigh in and voice their concerns before USDA and HHS decide on the committee’s recommendations.
