Scientific report for 2025-30 DGA published
Following the release of the preliminary recommendations for the 2025-30 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) in late October, the Scientific Report of the 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee, which is used to inform the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) as they develop the final 2025-30 DGA, was published on Dec. 10.
Despite pushback from multiple organizations, particularly those in the ag industry, the committee has followed through with their recommendation Americans forego red meat and replace the protein on their plate with beans, peas and lentils.
The DGA and scientific report
Every five years, USDA and HHS formulate the DGA to reflect the “best available science and current nutritional needs of U.S. citizens” in order to provide advice on what to eat and drink to promote healthy living and prevent disease.
The DGA is used as a framework for federal nutritional programs such as school lunches and military feeding programs.
In a Dec. 10 news brief, HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra explains, “The dietary guidelines serve as the foundation for national nutrition programs, standards and education. They provide health professionals with guidance and resources to assist the public in choosing an overall healthy diet that works for them, and they help HHS, USDA and others in the federal government tailor policies to best serve the American people.”
As part of the process of updating the DGA, the agencies are required to release a scientific report, which outlines the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee’s independent, evidence-based findings and advice for the USDA and HHS on how to formulate the next set of guidelines.
In the Dec. 10 press release, HHS claims the scientific report will be used alongside public comments and input from federal agencies to inform the two departments as they develop the 2025-30 DGA, which is expected to be published in late 2025.
HHS further notes the committee focused on “health equity” in the scientific report “to ensure factors such as socioeconomic position, race, ethnicity and culture were considered to the greatest extent possible.”
“The committee also expanded the scope of evidence reviewed beyond recommended amounts and types of foods to also include strategies to effectively promote healthy dietary patterns across the lifespan,” states HHS.
Continued pushback
With a mission to promote the important role of beef in a healthy diet, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) has been following the current DGA process very closely and has continued to speak out against the committee’s new recommendations, calling them “unhinged” and “out of touch.”
Shortly after the scientific report was released, NCBA published another statement.
“Most Americans today already eat beef within the DGA’s recommended levels for a healthy diet. This reduction is a solution in search of a problem,” says NCBA President and Wyoming Rancher Mark Eisele. “Public health advice should be based on the totality of scientific evidence. The Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee ignored robust and rigorous scientific evidence about beef’s essential nutrients and the foundational, positive role it plays in health as a preferred protein food in a variety of healthy diets for all Americans.”
NCBA Executive Director of Nutrition Science and Registered Dietitian Dr. Shalene McNeill states, “Cutting back on beef isn’t going to ‘Make America Healthy Again.’ There’s irrefutable evidence about the valuable role of beef and its nutrients in promoting health. We’ve had 40 years of DGA, and during this time, beef consumption has decreased, yet Americans suffer more from obesity and chronic disease than ever before.”
“Advising Americans to cut back on beef takes us even further in the wrong direction, putting our most vulnerable populations like women, children, teens and the aging at risk,” McNeill continues. “This advice detracts from the real and most basic challenges we face with eating healthfully. Nutrition guidance should encourage Americans to have the flexibility to choose nutrient-dense foods and dietary patterns they enjoy within calorie goals.”
During an episode of NCBA’s Beltway Beef podcast aired in October, McNeill questions why the committee is turning away from beef – a total-package protein that offers 10 essential nutrients in just one three-ounce serving – compared to something of less quality like beans, peas and lentils.
NCBA notes data shows beef provides essential nutrients and protein with fewer calories than these non-meat alternatives, is more effective in promoting muscle health than soy-based options, plays an important role in managing weight and is compatible with heart health.
“Research continues to show, as red meat intake declines, iron and other nutrient deficiencies are on the rise,” McNeill says on the podcast. “Few foods offer the nutritional package beef offers.”
Moving forward
On Dec. 11, HHS and USDA opened a 60-day public comment period, encouraging individuals to provide written comments on the committee’s scientific report, which can be found at dietaryguidelines.gov.
Comments can be submitted online at the aforementioned web address or via mail to Janet M. de Jesus, MS, RD, Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health, HHS, 1101 Wootton Parkway, Suite 420, Rockville, MD 20852.
Additionally, the two agencies will cohost a public meeting on Jan. 16, 2025 from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. to field oral comments. Registration to provide oral comments will open on Dec. 16 and will close when capacity has been reached.
To register for the public meeting, visit mregs.nih.gov/oash/12ec-ap45508.
Hannah Bugas is the managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
