Source: Tom Johnston, MEATINGPLACE, 10/22/14


The American Meat Institute (AMI) and the North American Meat Association (NAMA) submitted comments to the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee expressing concern about the panel’s focus on sustainability.

The groups say such focus is outside the committee’s expertise and could dilute the importance of its recommendations.

AMI and NAMA more specifically highlight the complexity of the sustainability issue and argue it is premature to include in a discussion on dietary guidance. AMI and NAMA also note that the definition of sustainability used by the DGAC is missing critical components, such as a more comprehensive definition developed by experts in the field of sustainability, such as the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

The comments also explain the role food processing plays in a sustainable food supply by allowing for maximum utilization of crop yields and minimizing the potential for food waste, factors the committee seems to have overlooked during their discussions, the groups said.

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