Source: POLITICO'S MORNING AGRICULTURE, 4/15/19

The WHO backed out of sponsoring an EAT-Lancet launch event in Geneva last month after Italy's U.N. ambassador criticized the group's proposed "planetary health diet," per The New Food Economy.

The diet calls for eating less red meat and sugar, in favor of more plant-based foods. As MA readers know, the EAT-Lancet report drew a sharp backlash from livestock groups, as well as some registered dietitians and low-carb advocates, and it has gained little traction in Washington.

Opposition to the dietary recommendations has centered on their potential effect on developing nations, some of which rely on livestock production as a means of development — although EAT-Lancet proposes geographic flexibility on that account. Critics have also questioned the independence of the authors and whether the diet would lead to lower intake of certain nutrients like iron.

Other international bodies aren't shying away from the report: The World Bank held an eventwith EAT last week on global food issues.