Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa made the following comment today regarding the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) extension of the public comment period for a recent Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee report.
“It’s right for USDA and HHS to extend the public comment period. I joined many of my colleagues last week in sending a letter to the secretaries of USDA and HHS, urging the agencies to do so. More time was necessary for the public to thoroughly review the report and weigh in on the committee’s recommendations, so it’s good that the agencies decided to extend the deadline.
“Not only does the report leave red meat out of what it considers to be a healthy diet, but the recommendations also go beyond health and nutrition, including environmental and sustainability issues. 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. I urge everyone to voice their concerns during the comment period before USDA and HHS decide on the committee’s recommendations. The new deadline is May 8, 2015.”
More information on the senators’ letter regarding the advisory committee’s report can be found here.
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