The American Bakers Association is very appreciative of the House Agriculture Committee for its hearing examining the review process for the 2015 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
“It is the primary responsibility of the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC) to ensure that the guidance provided in its report is irrefutably science-based and can be communicated in terms easily understood and implemented by the public. It was refreshing to hear today from both Secretaries Burwell and Vilsack that the DGAC Report informs, but does not dictate, the final recommendations that are still being finalized by the agencies and can be expected later this year,” said ABA President and CEO Robb MacKie.
The Committee’s questions and dialogue with the HHS and USDA Secretaries emphasized their strong interest with respect to thoughtful development of the Guidelines and reiterated that a preponderance of science plays a crucial role in finalizing those key recommendations. That final guidance coupled with clear messaging will assist the American public in making informed, healthy nutrition choices.
Hearing questions addressed nutrition policy including scope, use of the Nutrition Evidence Library in the current review, sodium, added sugar, balance and translation of the recommendations into easily digestible messaging, as well as influence on other nutrition related policies. ABA applauds HHS, USDA and the House Agriculture Committee for their efforts to examine these important issues.
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About the American Bakers Association:
The American Bakers Association (ABA) is the Washington D.C.-based voice of the wholesale baking industry. Since 1897, ABA has represented the interests of bakers before the U.S. Congress, federal agencies, and international regulatory authorities. ABA advocates on behalf of more than 1000 baking facilities and baking company suppliers. ABA members produce bread, rolls, crackers, bagels, sweet goods, tortillas and many other wholesome, nutritious, baked products for America’s families. The baking industry generates more than $102 billion in economic activity annually and employs more than 706,000 highly skilled people.
Source: The American Bakers Association
