Industry News - AM

AMSA weighs in on dietary guidelines


By Tom Johnston on 5/18/2015

Federal dietary guidelines should recommend consumption of meat and poultry as part of a healthy diet and not discourage eating red and processed meats, the American Meat Science Association (AMSA) said.

“Our primary concern with the [Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee] report is that the DGAC meat-related recommendations do not reflect the totality of evidence on meat’s role in health,” the group said in written comments to the USDA and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

AMSA noted that the DGAC’s recommendations to lower meat intake contradict the 2010 DGAC report, which encouraged increased consumption of lean meat and poultry. “Since 2010, additional strong evidence has emerged that further supports this recommendation,” AMSA wrote.

AMSA called to meat’s importance in terms of offering a nutrient-dense source of protein, in helping metabolic function and its alignment with current dietary trends indicating U.S. consumers are eating red meat in moderation.

The group is urging USDA and the Health and Human Services Department to scrutinize the strength of the scientific evidence the committee used in consideration of its recommendations on meat, as well as a reevaluation of the evidence on the role that meat and poultry play in healthy dietary patterns.

AMSA’s sentiments aligned with those of other meat industry groups who submitted comments by the May 8 deadline.


 
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