Release No. 0049.04
Scientific Update of Food Guidance Presented to Dietary Guidelines Committee
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WASHINGTON, Jan. 28, 2004 -
Dr. Eric Hentges, executive director of USDA’s Center for Nutrition
Policy and Promotion (CNPP), today presented a summary of public comments
on the scientific basis that supports the revision of the food guidance
system, currently known as the Food Guide Pyramid, during the second meeting
of the national Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee.,
“The public’s response was clear and to the point,” said Hentges.
“With all of the popular diet and weight loss plans that we see
today, what the public wants from us is direct, common-sense advice on
what and how much to eat.”
USDA’s CNPP asked for public comment via a Sept.
11, 2003, Federal Register notice on proposed revisions on five key issues:
1. Using sedentary references for individuals in assigning target calorie
levels for assessing nutrient adequacy and moderation of the patterns;
2. Selection of nutritional goals for food intake patterns; 3. Proposed
food intake patterns for educating the American public about healthful
eating patterns; 4. Using “cups” and “ounces”
vs. “servings” in education materials to recommend daily amounts
to select from each food group and subgroup; and 5. Selection of appropriate
illustrative food patterns for various consumer materials.
CNPP received 1101 individual comments contained in
255 letters from a broad range of audiences. Of these letters, 62 were
from health and nutrition professionals, 52 were from industry and trade
associations, 14 from health associations, 11 from state, local and federal
agencies, and 116 from the general public.
There was widespread agreement among commenters with
the Federal Register proposals for energy levels, nutritional goals, and
food groupings for food intake patterns, Hentges said. Regarding energy
levels, many comments noted the need to promote physical activity and
to include food patterns for active as well as sedentary individuals.
Many of the respondents supported the use of RDAs (Recommended Daily Allowances),
etc., as nutritional goals while a few questioned why EARs (Estimated
Average Requirements) were not used. More comments addressed food intake
patterns than any other topic. The most common comments suggested emphasizing
whole grains; differentiating between types of fats; and differentiating
among foods within the meat and beans group. Finally, there was also widespread
support for replacing “servings” per day with “cups”
and “ounces.”
Both the food guidance system (currently the Food Guide
Pyramid) and the Dietary Guidelines for Americans are being revised in
a coordinated effort. Revision of the food guidance system is being managed
by U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans
are being revised by an independent, nationally recognized panel of experts,
the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee, which will submit a report
later in the year to the Secretaries of Agriculture and Health and Human
Services.
“As the revision process progresses, we look
forward to taking advantage of current discussions and collaboration with
the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee as we update and revise USDA’s
food guidance system,” Hentges said. “It is the goal of the
Department of Agriculture and the goal of the Advisory Committee to provide
the American public with the best nutritional guidance based on the most
current science available.”
Hentges said the next step will be to issue a second
notice in the Federal Register by mid-year requesting public comment on
the development of consumer communications, including a graphic image
to reflect the updated food guidance system.
Additional information, including the comments submitted
in response to the Federal Register, can be found at www.cnpp.usda.gov.
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