WASHINGTON — Members of grains industry coalition the Grain Chain made their voices heard to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) as the agencies begin work on the 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for America (DGA).
The members’ comments focused on several topics, including the need for critical definitions before the 2025 DGA review process starts; the value of processing for grain foods; support for a health equity lens through the review process; the need for consumption and physical activity balance approach and suggested Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC) critical nominee selection criteria.
“It will be critical for the DGA scientific questions to clearly define terms such as ‘nutrient-dense,’ ‘ultra-processed,’ ‘processed,’ ‘minimally processed,’ ‘non-dairy’ and ‘non-meat alternatives,’ said Lee Sanders, senior VP of government relations and public affairs for the American Bakers Association. “In order to answer the proposed DGA review questions, these terms must be distinctly defined, and these definitions must be data-driven and evidence-based with clear consensus around the scientific evidence.”
The Grain Chain noted that they feel it’s a necessity for the DGA to consider alternative approaches to foods with varying degrees of processing, specifically for products like bread, pasta and rice which are “processed” foods with beneficial attributes and improved nutrient content.
The coalition also pushed for a focus on nutritional value and balance be taken into consideration regarding dietary habits when related to weight loss or obesity rather than just calories.
“For example, many grain foods can help improve diet quality by encouraging the consumption of healthy low-calorie, high fiber foods and increasing fruit and vegetable intake,” Sanders said.
The Grain Chain noted that “it will be critical” for members working on the DGA to have a background on foods processing and manufacturing for the previously specified categories when addressing dietary patterns and ultra-processed food.
HHS and USDA will now take all public comments in relation to the specified criteria into consideration as it prioritizes the scientific questions set to be examined by the DGA committee. The resulting report from the committee will inform the development of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025-2030.
The next step will be for the HHS and USDA to seek nominations for the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee from the public.