Clarity sought on role of sustainability in dietary guidelines process

The thorny and politically charged issue of the sustainability of the food system is once again front and center in the debate over the government’s dietary guidelines.

The Agriculture Department and Department of Health and Human Services, which share oversight and development responsibilities for the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, say they will address sustainability and environmental concerns, but in a process separate from development of the next set of guidelines, due in 2025.

HHS and USDA are still considering comments on the proposed questions as well as nominations for experts to serve on the advisory committee that will make recommendations for the 2025-2030 guidelines.

Just the fact that sustainability will be considered at all has some in the ag and food industry concerned. In a recent address at the American Sugar Alliance’s International Sweetener Symposium, The Sugar Association President and CEO Courtney Gaine said there’s “a lot of momentum that the U.S. dietary guidelines aren’t doing enough for the population’s health and for the planet. So, this dialogue is getting louder.”

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