DeLauro Statement on the New Dietary Guidelines

WASHINGTON, DC (January 7, 2016) — Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) today released the following statement on the new dietary guidelines issued jointly by the U.S. Departments of Agriculture and Health & Human Services.

“The 2015 Dietary Guidelines for Americans serve as a critical tool to help shape sound federal nutrition policy, nutrition programs, and education. The guidelines also identify important research areas to improve our knowledge of diet and health. The new 2015 guidelines make a number of much needed changes to the previous guidelines issued five years ago. For the first time, the new guidelines now recommend a cap on the amount of added sugars that Americans should consume. The guidelines also make strong recommendations on curbing our intake of sodium and saturated fats.”

“The United States is in the midst of a dual epidemic of obesity and diabetes, and we need to do something to stop it. Science shows that there is a clear link between sugar-sweetened beverages and these health conditions and I applaud the USDA and HHS for recommending limiting our sugar intake. However, Congress should go further and enact the SWEET Act, which would impose a tax on sugar-sweetened beverage products and fund initiatives that include research, increased access to healthy foods in low-income neighborhoods, subsidizing fresh fruits and vegetables, and nutrition education.

“While the new dietary guidelines make a number of positive changes, the guidelines omit the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee’s suggested limits on consumption of red and processed meats. I fought hard to make sure that these science-based recommendations by the Committee were included and I am disappointed that they were ultimately watered down. We must apply the principles of sustainability and resilience to nutrition and dietary practices in order to ensure that everyone has access to safe, affordable, and nutritious foods.”

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